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Fatal single car accident on I-16
One person dead, one injured.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)— An accident on I-16 near Ocmulgee East Boulevard has killed a man and sent his wife to the hospital. According to Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones, the couple from Mecca Georgia identified as 47 year old Terry Edwards and his wife 51 year old Vickie Edwards lost control of their vehicle around 6am on I-16. The crash killed Terry Edwards, Vickie was transported to Atrium Health Navicent in critical condition.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash. The accident remains under investigation.
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| 2022-04-29T13:57:12Z
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LAKEWOOD, Colo. — The Gallery Sportsman Club and Range offers a restaurant and lounge within a firing range complex opens in Colorado.
The business features a restaurant, gun range, coffee bar, training center, and retail store.
Co-founders Megan Hymanson and David Grasa said they began thinking about starting this business years ago.
“We were at a friend's birthday party about two-and-a-half years ago, and we were at a shooting range. We didn't have the best experience and afterwards, we wanted a place to go have some drinks, have some food, but had to head all the way down the road,” Grasa said. “We just saw a spot in the market for it.”
Hymanson and Grasa said potential customers may be thinking: Alcohol and firearms don’t mix.
Hymanson said safeguards are in place.
“You surrender your ID to use the range, you get a badge that will allow you into the range. When you're done with the range, you get your ID returned to you,” Hymanson said.
The ID is also scanned to get a drink at the bar, before or after using the gun range. Hymanson said once a customer (or someone at the customer’s table) purchases an alcoholic beverage, that customer will be locked out of the range for 24 hours.
“It was a lot of work to build this place and we don't want to risk anybody’s safety,” Hymanson said.
The Gallery Sportsman Club has also partnered with mental health professionals who plan to use the business’s training center.
“Jefferson Center for Mental Health will be offering mental health first aid here,” Hymanson said. The Center will also provide suicide prevention training, a course Hymanson said all Gallery Sportsman Club employees have completed.
Hymanson said the reality is, people from all walks of life buy and try firearms.
“It doesn't need to be a political sport, it doesn't need to be only one type of person can shoot,” Hymanson said. “Maybe not everybody has a place where they feel comfortable that they can learn and get trained but they can do that here.”
Hymanson and Grasa said the Gallery Sportsman Club will offer memberships and discounts to first responders and essential workers.
Customers can also purchase hunting and fishing licenses from the business.
This story was first reported by Micah Smith at KMGH in Denver.
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| 2022-04-29T14:28:11Z
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NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon reported its first quarterly loss since 2015 on Thursday, its money-making juggernaut stalled by a slowdown in pandemic-induced online shopping and a huge write-down of its investment in an electric-vehicle startup.
The Seattle-based e-commerce giant’s stock fell 9% in after-hours trading.
Amazon reported a loss of $3.84 billion, or $7.56 a share, for the first three months of the year. A year ago, it reported a profit of $8.1 billion, or $15.79 a share, for the first quarter. Wall Street analysts expected a profit of $8.35 a share in the latest quarter, according to FactSet.
The ocean of red ink in Amazon’s report came mostly from the company’s accounting for a $7.6 billion loss in value of its stock investment in Rivian Automotive. Rivian went public in late 2021 and its stock traded at close $180 at one point. It closed Thursday at $32.18. Ford Motor Co. reported a similar write-downof the value of its Rivian investment Wednesday.
Amazon’s e-commerce business also reported an operating loss of $1.57 billion in North America and $1.28 billion internationally.
Meanwhile, sales at Amazon’s cloud-computing business, which helps power the online operations of Netflix, McDonald’s and other companies, grew 37% in the quarter. And sales in its advertising business, where brands pay to get their products to show up first when shoppers search on Amazon’s site, rose 25%.
Still, the slowdown in online spending is real and broad-based. While in-store sales rose, March is the first month to show decline in online sales since the pandemic began, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks spending made over the Mastercard payments network and survey estimates for other payments made with cash and checks.
Amazon prospered during the COVID-19 pandemic as homebound people eager to limit human contact turned online to purchase what they need. But growth has slowed as vaccinated Americans feel more comfortable going out. According to the e-commerce research firm MarketPlace Pulse, the value of goods sold on Amazon last year grew by half the rate compared to 2020.
Like many others, Amazon is dealing with pressure from inflation and supply-chain issues. In the past two years, Amazon’s Chief Financial Officer Brian Olsavsky said the company has doubled the size of its operations and nearly doubled its workforce. He said labor shortages and a lack of physical space are no longer major issues, but the company continues to face a variety of pressures such as increased shipping costs.
Inflation-related expenses added roughly $2 billion of incremental costs when compared to last year, Olsavsky said, adding that the company also incurred another $4 billion in costs related to productivity loss and other inefficiencies.
“The pandemic and subsequent war in Ukraine have brought unusual growth and challenges,” said Amazon CEO Andy Jassy in a statement. “Our teams are squarely focused on improving productivity and cost efficiencies throughout our fulfillment network. We know how to do this and have done it before.”
To offset rising fuel costs and inflation, the retail giant has added a 5% surchargeto fees it charges third-party sellers who use its fulfillment services. Last quarter, Amazon also hiked its annual Prime membership fee by $20, a first since 2018. Despite the fee hike, Olsavsky said millions of new Prime members have enrolled during the quarter.
Revenue rose 7% to $116.44 billion, compared with $108.52 billion in first quarter 2021, representing the company’s sixth consecutive quarter of revenue topping $100 billion. Amazon had projected sales between $112 billion and $117 billion. Analysts surveyed by FactSet were expecting $116.5 billion.
“Given the pace at which the business grew over the past few years this shift is hardly surprising,” said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail. “It represents more of a post pandemic reset than catastrophic failure. Nevertheless, the slowdown raises important questions over how Amazon can restore momentum and regain its leadership position as one of the primary drivers of online growth.”
Amazon said it forecasts sales for the current quarter to range between $116 billion and $121 billion, below the $125.33 billion that analysts are forecasting.
The results come as Amazon is closing all of its brick-and-mortar bookstores, as well as its 4-star shops and pop up locations, as the online retail behemoth reworks its physical footprint. The company also faces a growing unionization push from inside its workforce.
A second union election is currently underway at a company warehouse on Staten Island, New York, the same borough where workers at a nearby facility voted to unionize earlier this month. Amazon has filed objections over the election with the National Labor Relations Board and is seeking to re-do the vote.
The final outcome of a separate union election in Bessemer, Alabama, is still up in the air with 416 outstanding challenged ballots hanging in the balance. Hearings to review the ballots are expected to begin in the coming weeks.
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AP writer Anne D’Innocenzio contributed to this report.
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Follow Haleluya Hadero: http://twitter.com/masayett
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| 2022-04-29T16:02:56Z
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SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP) — Apple on Thursday reported strong quarterly results despite supply shortages, but warned that its growth slowdown is likely to deepen. The company said it’s still struggling to get enough chips to meet demand and contending with COVID-related shutdowns at factories in China that make iPhones and other products.
Although initial results for the January-March period topped analysts’ projections, the good news was quickly eclipsed when management warned of trouble ahead during a conference call.
The main takeaway: Apple’s sales will be squeezed by the supply problems much harder in the current April-June quarter than in its previous one. The company estimated it would take a hit to revenue of $4 billion to $8 billion as a result.
“It will affect most of the product categories,” Apple CEO Tim Cook told analysts.
Apple’s stock price fell 4% in extended trading, reversing a positive response after the Apple report initially came out. Before the sobering forecast lowered the shares even further, Apple’s stock had fallen 10% from its peak in early January.
“It was a solid quarter, but it looks like COVID has reared its ugly head,” said Edward Jones analyst Logan Purk. “It looks like it’s two steps forward, one step back.”
Like a wide gamut of companies ranging from automakers to health care providers, Apple has been grappling with shortages of computer chips and other key technology components required in modern products.
Apple had expected the crunch to ease as this year progressed, but recent COVIDs outbreaks are starting to curtail production in Chinese factories that the company relies on.
Despite those headwinds, the results for the January-March period drew a picture of a still-expanding empire generating massive profits that have yielded the firm a $2.7 trillion market value — the largest among U.S. companies.
Apple announced a 5% increase in its quarterly dividend, which has been steadily rising since the company revived the payment a decade ago. Effective May 12, Apple’s new quarterly dividend will stand at 23 cents per share — more than doubling from 10 years ago.
Even without that supply issues, Apple would still be facing some of the same challenges confronting many other major technology companies. After enjoying a pandemic-driven boom, it’s becoming tougher to deliver the same levels of spectacular growth that drove tech-company stock prices to record highs. The crisis continues to fade away and growth on a year-to-year basis has become harder to maintain.
Apple’s most recent quarter illustrated the high hurdles the Cupertino, California, company is now trying to clear. Revenue for the period totaled $97.3 billion, yet it was only 9% higher than the same time last year. It marked the first time in the past six quarters that Apple hasn’t produced double-digit gains in year-over-year revenue. That number, however, exceeded the average revenue estimate of $94 billion among analysts surveyed by FactSet Research, indicating that Apple’s growth slowdown hasn’t been quite as severe as investors were anticipating.
Quarterly profit came in at $25 billion, or $1.52 per share, a 6% increase from the same time last year. Analysts had predicted earnings per share of $1.42.
As usual, the iPhone remains Apple’s marquee product with sales of $50.6 billion in the past quarter — a 5% uptick from the same time last year. Apple has been trying to keep its iPhones sales growing while chips remain in short supply by siphoning some components from the iPad, which saw its sales fall 2% from last year to $7.6 billion.
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| 2022-04-29T16:03:03Z
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s upbeat message that the economy is cruising along hit a troublesome speed bump on Thursday when the federal government reported that U.S. gross domestic product shrank during the first three months of 2022.
Economic activity declined at annual rate of 1.4%, a sharp reversal from last year when growth was the strongest since 1984. There were technical reasons for the decline that likely obscured the actual health of the economy, yet the drop clearly put the president on the defensive after he has said repeatedly that the booming job market means the U.S. can withstand inflation at a 40-year high.
Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package was supposed to propel the economy to new heights that Democrats could then sell to voters in this year’s midterm elections. But the muddled data has weakened the clarity of Biden’s pitch and emboldened Republican criticism.
The president told reporters at the White House that the consumer spending and business investment portions of the GDP report were solid, evidence that growth should resume in the months to come. The biggest drag on GDP was an increase in imports, but a one-off glitch — a sharp drop in business inventories — was a key contributor to the overall drop. The inventory decline reflected the aftershocks of the pandemic, rather than the underlying health of the economy, the president said.
“What you’re seeing is enormous growth in the country that was affected by everything from COVID and the COVID blockages that occurred along the way,” Biden said.
While the president maintained that there would not be a recession this year, he conceded that it was a concern.
“You’re always worried about a recession,” he said.
To Republican lawmakers and some economists, the drop in GDP hinted at the risk posed by surging inflation. Consumers have grown skittish despite increases in their net worth. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has created the risk of oil, natural gas and food shortages. Pandemic-related lockdowns in China indicate that supplies chains troubles will persist.
Following last year’s coronavirus relief package, the government is now trying to calm the economy. There is less fiscal support as the federal deficit will likely be lower this year. At the same time, the Federal Reserve is trying to raise benchmark interest rates to reduce inflation without causing a downturn.
But Thursday’s report gave Republican lawmakers a direct line of attack.
“Under President Biden’s leadership, our economy is actually shrinking,” Texas Rep. Kevin Brady said at the start of a House Ways & Means Committee hearing on Thursday. “The president has missed four of the five quarterly economic projections. So Americans ought to brace for slower job growth and higher prices ahead.”
What the GDP report actually reveals about the months ahead may be more complicated. Some economists see the consumer spending and business investment as signs of a quick rebound, while others fear that consumer spending could weaken because of high prices and the efforts to reduce inflation.
“Underlying demand remains strong, and the labor market is in excellent shape,” said Gus Faucher, chief economist of PNC Financial Services. “Growth will resume in the second quarter.”
But Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at the consultancy RSM, said that the strengths observed by others could fade as policymakers tackle inflation because sustained economic growth depends on having stable prices.
“The price of oil and gasoline and food are all increasing faster than your paycheck,” Brusuelas said. “Therefore, we need to slow down the economy and demand with it, and that likely means slower growth and a slightly higher level of unemployment over the next two years. And it will be done with intent and purposefully. The problem is we could cause a recession in the process.”
One senior White House official said the various disruptions of the past two years have hurt the reliability of traditional economic indicators, masking what the administration sees as a solid economy.
The official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss the GDP report, said the key to overcoming this challenge will be to get the American people to focus on the bigger picture instead of monthly and quarterly reports.
On Thursday afternoon, Biden tried to pull attention back to that bigger picture by inviting small business owners to the White House. He noted that Americans have emerged from the pandemic as more entrepreneurial with 5.4 million applying last year to start new businesses. That’s 20% higher than any other year on record.
“We have every indication that this trend is going to continue,” Biden said, putting the morning’s GDP report behind him. “The reason for that is because we’re giving people financial security to take a risk and pursue their small business dreams.”
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| 2022-04-29T16:03:32Z
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NEW YORK (AP) — Growth slammed into reverse at the start of this year for Robinhood Markets, whose trading app has turned millions of people into investors for the first time.
The company said Thursday that it took in $299 million in revenue during the first three months of the year, down 43% from a year earlier. It also reported a loss of $392 million, or 45 cents per share, as its number of active users shrank amid a wave of worries weighing on stock and cryptocurrency markets.
Both a drop in revenue and a net loss were expected for the quarter. But the results were worse than Wall Street analysts had forecast: a loss of 38 cents per share on revenue of $354.6 million, according to FactSet.
Growth has been flagging for Robinhood since a powerful surge during the early part of the pandemic, through the first half of 2021. At its height, Robinhood’s revenue growth was probably impossible to replicate, and it has been decelerating steadily since hitting 309% at the start of 2021. Robinhood’s most fantastic growth was largely because of maniacal trading for GameStop, dogecoin and other market-bending phenomena unlikely to be repeated.
Robinhood’s business does best when people use its app to trade often, whether it’s stocks or crypto, because it makes money by routing their orders to market makers and big trading firms. Company executives told investors Thursday that the market volatility last quarter pushed casual investors away, or made them more cautious and less likely to do large trades.
Other factors that got people trading often early in the pandemic — including restrictions keeping people at home, stimulus checks giving them cash to spend and low interest rates helping prices soar for all kinds of markets — have also faded.
Revenue earned from the trading of stocks on Robinhood’s app dropped 73% during the first quarter from a year earlier. The company makes more money from the trading of options and of crypto, and revenue there fell 36% to 39%. The company said it no longer planned to give quarterly revenue guidance, saying the volatile markets had made it much more difficult to predict.
Trading has become tougher this year as markets fall due to a range of worries. Chief among them is a sudden surge in interest rates as the Federal Reserve fights to beat down high inflation.
The S&P 500 fell 4.9% during the first three months of the year for its first losing quarter since the pandemic-induced crash of early 2020. The losses have continued in April, with many of the Big Tech stocks popular among younger investors turning in some of the worst performances.
Robinhood’s own stock has struggled this year, recently falling below $10 after briefly touching $85 shortly after its stock’s debut on the Nasdaq in the summer of 2021. It rose 6.1% Thursday to close at $10.09, before Robinhood’s results came out.
Following the release of the results, the stock fell 11.2% in afterhours trading.
Analysts focused their questions on Robinhood’s plans for growth. The company has announced several new products in recent months, including additional cryptocurrencies for trade as well as a new debit card. Analysts seemed doubtful that these myriad of new products would actually result in new revenue for the company.
Robinhood earlier this week said it would cut 9% of its workforce. CEO Vlad Tenev said the company wanted to cull duplicative jobs after its number of employees soared to nearly 3,800 from 700 in 2019.
The company grew its headcount so quickly in part to keep up with its explosion of users, and it attracted more in early 2022. Robinhood said it had 22.8 million cumulative funded accounts at the end of March, up 27% from a year earlier.
But fewer customers were actively using Robinhood’s services during the quarter. Its number of monthly active users dropped 10% to 15.9 million in March from a year earlier. It also fell 8% from December.
“We’re seeing our customers affected by the macroeconomic environment, which is reflected in our results this quarter,” Robinhood Chief Financial Officer Jason Warnick said in a statement. “At the same time, we’ve also made progress on our long-term plans and continue to pursue them aggressively.”
Wall Street is looking for Robinhood’s losses to continue to moderate, and it’s forecasting year-over-year growth in revenue may return in the second half of this year. That’s when Robinhood’s numbers will no longer be compared against the booms generated by GameStop and dogecoin from early 2021.
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| 2022-04-29T16:04:06Z
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A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Friday to celebrate the completion of the Bayou Chene Floodgate.
According to the Governor's Office, the permanent structure will prevent Atchafalaya River backwater flooding from impacting St. Mary, Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Martin, Assumption, and Iberville parishes.
The 400-foot floodgate cost $80 million to construct. It has been under construction for more than a year. Utilizing funding from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA), it was built in partnership with the St. Mary Levee District.
In February, the floodgate was installed at the sight. Since that time, closures of the bayou and channels have been conducted for last-minute projects to be completed.
“This region has relied on temporary measures to prevent backwater flooding since the 1970s,” said Gov. Edwards. “With the completion of this decades-long effort, the people of St. Mary and the five surrounding parishes can rest easier knowing they’re protected by a permanent flood control structure. I applaud the collaboration between CPRA and the St. Mary Levee District that brought this important project to fruition.”
St. Mary Parish officials highlighted the years of collaborative work that paved the way for the floodgate’s completion.
“We are very thankful for all who had a role in making the Bayou Chene Flood Protection Project a reality,” said Tim Matte, Executive Director of the St. Mary Levee District. “As we dedicate this important project, we now can confidently deal with the challenges that a high Atchafalaya River brings to the six-parish area bordering the Lake Verrett Basin. The three previous emergency closures were successful but costly and risky. Now with the completion of the permanent structure, we can close the Bayou in a timely manner, with minimal impacts to the navigation interests, minimal risk to the team members and with minimal environmental impacts to the region.”
“Since the first emergency closing of the Bayou Chene in 2011, the St. Mary Levee District has been saying two words at CPRA and other meetings in Baton Rouge,” said Bill Hidalgo, President of the St. Mary Levee District. “Those words were ‘Bayou Chene.’ Today we can say two more words to the Governor, his staff, and CPRA – thank you. These words of thanks come from the St. Mary Levee District and the region the Bayou Chene structure protects."
State and local leaders joined in celebrating the project’s completion including State Sen. Bret Allain, State Rep. Beryl Amedée and State Rep. Vinney St. Blanc.
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| 2022-04-29T16:22:04Z
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Early voting in Georgia starts Monday, May 2
CLICK HERE to visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page to access your voter registration status, your early and election day voting locations, and sample ballots.
Macon-Bibb County Hours/Locations:
May 2nd – 20th: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 7th & 14th
Sunday, May 15th: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections
2525 Pio Nono Ave., Suite 1200 Macon, Georgia 31206
Elaine H. Lucas Senior Center
132 Willie Smokie Glover Dr.
Houston County Hours/Locations:
May 2 – May 6 ((Mon – Fri) 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
May 7 (Sat) 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
May 9 – May 13 (Mon – Fri) 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
May 14 (Sat) 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
May 16 – May 20 (Mon – Fri) 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Houston County Board of Election
2030 Kings Chapel Road, Perry
Houston Health Pavilion Conf Center
233 N. Houston Road, Warner Robins
Central Georgia Technical College
Roy H. “Sonny Watson Health Sciences”
71 Cohen Walker Dr., Warner Robins
North Houston Sports Complex
900 N. Houston Road, Warner Robins
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| 2022-04-29T18:27:37Z
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The FBI conducted up to 3.4 million warrantless searches of Americans' electronic data last year including 1.9 million related to a cyber threat from Russia, according to an annual transparency report released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on Friday.
The report is the first time that the US intelligence community has disclosed even an approximate number of the FBI's searches of American data using the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The law is focused on threats emanating from outside of the United States, but also allows the FBI, the CIA and others to search data for Americans' information provided there is a validly predicated foreign intelligence purpose.
The report does not suggest that the FBI acted improperly. The report highlights the big trove of intelligence data that the bureau can tap in pursuing hackers, spies and terrorists.
More than half of the FBI's queries were related to attempts to compromise US critical infrastructure by foreign cyber actors in early 2021, according to the report. That includes about 1.9 million queries related to one particular cyber threat from Russia against US critical infrastructure, according to the FBI.
It is unclear what Russian hacking effort the FBI was referring to. The bureau declined to comment.
In the first half of 2021, the Biden administration investigated at least two major cyber incidents originating in Russia: the espionage campaign that exploited SolarWinds software to breach at least nine federal agencies, and the cybercriminal ransomware attack in May 2021 that shut down one of the largest US fuel pipeline operators for days.
While the hacking campaign that exploited SolarWinds and other software vendors appeared aimed at US government agencies, the malicious code used by the attackers was downloaded by thousands of companies, including hundreds of electric utilities.
The Biden administration blamed Russia's SVR foreign intelligence service for the so-called SolarWinds campaign, which was discovered in December 2020 -- an allegation the Kremlin denied. US officials believe that Russian authorities in January detained the individual responsible for the pipeline hack, but it is unclear if the Russians will follow through on prosecuting that person.
The number of FBI queries detailed in the report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence is not the same as the number of individuals whose data was examined. Officials can search an individual's email address, name and any other identifier, sometimes multiple times -- all of which would be counted as unique queries.
It is also possible that the number of queries of Americans' data is far lower than the 3.4 million disclosed in the report. According to the report, sometimes the FBI conducts large queries of hundreds or even thousands of terms, and if even one term is associated with a US person, every term in the bulk search is counted as a US person search.
The-CNN-Wire
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| 2022-04-29T22:01:18Z
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Pop-up showers and storms are likely this weekend
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Pop-up storms are returning to the forecast as a summertime pattern takes over in Middle Georgia heading into May.
This Evening/Tonight
Scattered clouds will continue to develop this afternoon around Middle Georgia as we go through the hottest part of the day. The chances for pop-up showers today remain extremely slim, however it is not completely off the table. Cloud cover will dissipate a bit as we go through the evening hours, however more clouds are likely after midnight tonight. Winds will remain out of the south-southeast at about 5-10 mph as low temperatures around the region drop into the upper 50s.
Tomorrow
We will have a good bit more cloud cover for tomorrow when compared to the past few days, however blanket conditions are unlikely. There will be a good amount of sun early (though less than today) before surface heating in the afternoon leads to the development of cloud fields. Highs will be in the mid to upper 80s tomorrow afternoon as the wind comes in from the south at 5-10 mph. There is a better chance for some pop-up storms tomorrow afternoon, primarily in the western counties of Middle Georgia. Severe weather is not anticipated.
Skies will remain partly cloudy overnight and into Sunday as the southerly winds persist. There will be a slight chance for some showers shortly after the sunset. Lows will drop into the upper 50s and lower 60s around the region.
Sunday: The Beginning of May
We’ve got a bit of a summertime pattern moving in as we roll into May. Highs beginning on Sunday will be in the upper 80s for most of the region, and some spots could potentially see low 90s as early as Monday. Scattered afternoon storms will be possible almost every day this week as a cold front stalls off to the west thanks to a staunch ridging pattern in the jet stream. Ridges typically keep things more warm and benign, however during the summer they lead to the perfect setup for afternoon storms. No severe weather is in the forecast through at least Monday at this time.
Follow Meteorologist Aaron Lowery on Facebook (Aaron Lowery 41NBC) and Twitter (@ALowWX) for weather updates throughout the day. Also, you can watch his forecasts Monday through Friday on 41NBC News at Daybreak (6-7 a.m.) and 41Today (11 a.m).
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| 2022-04-29T22:23:06Z
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Wilcox County man arrested following his 2-month-old’s hospitalization with multiple injuries
The Wilcox County Sheriff's Office says Jose Manuel Moreno of Pitts is being held in the Wilcox County Jail.
WILCOX COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Wilcox County man is now in custody after deputies say he caused injuries to his 2-month-old son that required the child to be hospitalized.
A Wilcox County Sheriff’s Office news release says Jose Manuel Moreno of Pitts is being held in the Wilcox County Jail.
Deputies say his 2-month-old child was admitted to Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta on April 8 with “multiple brain bleeds, a broken wrist, broken ribs that were already healing, and burns to his body.”
Moreno is charged with aggravated assault, aggravated battery, cruelty to children in the first degree and cruelty to children in the second degree. More charges are pending.
Moreno has holds pending from Immigration, according to the sheriff’s office.
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| 2022-04-29T22:23:12Z
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M softball returned home for their final home series and did not disappoint in game one as the Rattlers defeated the Hornets 4-2 with a two-run walk-off home run from Destiny Cuevas in the bottom of the ninth.
The Hornets took advantage of the Rattlers early after Lauryn Peppers walked the bases loaded, and an infield fly allowed the Hornets to score an unearned run to open the game.
The Rattlers could not make anything happen until the fourth inning when Desirae Beacham had a leadoff single and advanced to second from a Hornets error.
Destiny Cuevas came up next and doubled to left center scoring in Beacham. Two at-bats later, Lauryn Peppers doubled down the leftfield line scoring Cuevas.
The Hornets managed to take advantage of a couple of errors from the Rattlers to tie the game with their second unearned run. In the bottom of the seventh and eighth, the Rattlers had runners in scoring position but could not take advantage of the situation.
Desirae Beacham had a two-out single down leftfield after the Rattlers held the Hornets scoreless in the ninth. Destiny Cuevas came up with a chance to be the hero and did not disappoint with a two-run bomb to left field to win the series opener.
The Rattlers had four hitters with two hits (Desirae Beacham, Destiny Cuevas, Lauryn Peppers, and Mia Blasingane) and Cuevas led the Rattlers with three RBIs.
Lauryn Peppers dominated the mound allowing only two hits through nine innings to earn her third win of the season.
After Friday afternoon's victory and two losses from Mississippi Valley State, the Rattlers have clinched a spot in the SWAC Tournament.
The Rattlers are currently tied for second place with Jackson State with a 12-10 conference record but own the tiebreaker.
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| 2022-04-29T23:41:05Z
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Houston County kindergarten registration begins next week
School leaders say the registration process only takes a few minutes to complete.
WARNER ROBINS, Georgia(41NBC/WMGT)— Kindergarten registration for the Houston County School District starts Monday.
The district says it uses May as a kindergarten round up, as it helps encourage parents to register early. School leaders say the registration process only takes a few minutes to complete.
Students currently enrolled in the Pre-K program will automatically be registered for kindergarten.
According to Dr. Cheryl Thomas, Assistant Superintendent for School Operations, the district sees an increase in parents registering their children.
“We do have a lot of students that we register in the summer. We register approximately 500 to 600 students so we do encourage all of our kindergarten families to access our central registration location,” said Thomas.
You must schedule an appointment online and preregister at hcbe.net.
Once you’ve completed those steps, you will register your child at the central registration office.
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| 2022-04-30T01:52:24Z
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L.H. Williams Elementary prepares for Georgia Milestones testing
L.H. Williams prepared for the Georgia Milestones test with a pre-test pep rally Friday.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – L.H. Williams prepared for the Georgia Milestones test with a pre-test pep rally Friday.
Starting Monday, students will be tested in three subjects: reading, math and science.
For fifth grade students, the reading and math portion will go towards their ability for promotion to middle school.
Third grade students will also take the reading and math portions, but only the reading will count towards going to fourth grade.
L.H. Williams students led the pep rally with chants, while the Miller Magnet Middle School band played for the elementary students.
L.H. Williams Principal Cynthia Jones says the tests impacts students all the way into high school.
“When they get to middle school, they’re going to be prepared at middle school, and of course that feeds right into high school,” she said. “It impacts our graduation rate, because if they get to the ninth grade and they are prepared, and they are on grade level, I promise you they will graduate.”
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| 2022-04-30T01:52:25Z
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Local businesses prepare for Mother’s Day traffic
Mother's Day is happening next weekend, and the National Retail Foundation says spending is expected to reach a record high of $31.7 billion this year.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Mother’s Day is happening next weekend, and the National Retail Foundation says spending is expected to reach a record high of $31.7 billion this year.
Local businesses like Johnson’s Garden Center and Florist are already seeing orders come in. Florist Kristi Hightower says they have seen the effects of inflation, but there are plenty of options at different price points.
“Mother’s Day is one of the bigger holidays for fresh flowers and cuts and deliveries for moms,” she said.
With Mother’s Day being a popular holiday to send flowers, Hightower says they make sure to have multiple options from which to choose.
“You can come get fresh flowers, cut flowers, or you can do the planter baskets,” she said. “We have rose bushes we offer that can go out, hydrangea bushes, and it’s all price ranges.”
If you want to send mom something different this year, Georgia Market House offers more than just flowers.
They have plants, snack baskets, fruit baskets and other unique gift items. Owner Pam Pearson says their snack and fruit baskets are popular.
“A lot of people have too many things around their house,” she said. “As we get older, we collect all kind of stuff, and the fruit and snack baskets are edible, so that’s something that’s not going to crowd their house.”
Inflation caused Pearson to adjust her snack basket offerings, and prices have increased by about 10%. She says her customers rarely complain.
She attributes that to her business delivering smiles.
“One of my customers came in years ago when we were in downtown, and she said, ‘You know, you all deliver smiles.'” Pearson explained. “And I said I’m going to use that, because that’s what we want to do.”
Both businesses say you should get your orders in as soon as possible, especially if there’s a delivery involved.
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8. Johnson’s Garden Center says the deadline to place an order involving delivery is next Friday, May 6. Georgia Market House says you should place your orders as soon as possible.
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| 2022-04-30T01:52:26Z
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Macon-Bibb partners with non-profit to host potato giveaway
If you drove by Carolyn Crayton Park on Friday, you probably noticed lots of potatoes.
MACON, Georgia(41NBC/WMGT) — If you drove by Carolyn Crayton Park on Friday, you probably noticed lots of potatoes.
Macon-Bibb partnered with Society of St. Andrew to host a potato giveaway.
It was a way of addressing food insecurity in the county. More than 1,000 families received a bag of potatoes.
Resident Cleona Smith isays she’s thankful for the organization and the county.
“Some people don’t even have a way to get food,” she said. “So it’s a blessing to see people down here getting other foods so they can take it and give it to neighbors that they know need food.”
Smith will be taking her bag of potatoes to help feed the homeless.
“We help feed around 125 or more each week, and we cook the food and bring it down to the Daybreak,” she said. “We feed them out on the street, and we go to different areas that we know where the homeless people are sheltered at.”
Several county leaders helped fill bags and distribute them. Local churches and organizations were also picking up potatoes in bulk to feed their communities.
Event organizer Charise Stephens says they want to help as many people as they can.
“This global pandemic has been hard on us all, and we’re just trying to do our best to make sure no one is hungry here in Macon-Bibb County,” she said.
Potatoes are also a versatile food option.
Angela Partain, the Regional Director for the Society of St. Andrew, says they can always use more hands.
“We need volunteers to join us in the fields to reduce waste,” she said. “To help us get this food that would otherwise go to a landfill and help us create a sustainable way for communities to feed themselves.”
You can learn more about the organization or volunteer here.
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| 2022-04-30T01:52:27Z
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NFL Legend Peyton Manning honors Demaryius Thomas
Peyton Manning and the Peyback Foundation partnered with Georgia Tech to provide scholarships for students from Laurens County in honor of Demaryius Thomas.
DEXTER, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Peyton Manning and the Peyback Foundation partnered with Georgia Tech to provide scholarships for students from Laurens County in honor of Demaryius Thomas.
Demaryius Thomas, a Laurens County native and West Laurens High School graduate, died suddenly at the age 33 in December of 2021.
Manning played alongside Thomas with the Denver Broncos for four years, winning a Super Bowl in 2016.
The endowment will provide full and partial academic scholarships for incoming freshman from the area.
Principal of West Laurens High School, Dr. Dewana Kemp, said that the scholarships will give hope to students who thought college may be out of reach financially.
In honor of Thomas, Georgia Tech has named August 8 Demaryius Thomas day.
Thomas wore number 8 during his time at Tech and wore number 88 in the NFL.
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| 2022-04-30T01:52:27Z
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Sign-ups open for 13th annual All About Animals Rescue Run
All About Animals is hosting a 5K in a few weeks, and they're encouraging people to sign-up for the event.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — All About Animals is hosting a 5K in a few weeks, and they’re encouraging people to sign-up for the event.
The 13th annual All About Animals Rescue Run is happening on May 14.
They have a one-mile, a 5K, and a 10.2K. Waffle House is providing free breakfast to runners. People have the option to run or walk.
Lisa Goss, volunteer and race co-coordinator, says proceeds will directly support the animals living at the rescue.
“This is the biggest fundraiser that we have for all about animals,” Goss said. “We’re a non-profit, local, no-kill animal shelter, and the funds from this race usually helps us support the animals here for the entire year.”
You can sign up for the race on the All About Animals Racer Pal link. You can also find contact information if you’d like to sponsor the event.
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| 2022-04-30T01:52:44Z
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A historic landmark in the Prescott National Forest was wrapped with a heat-resistant foil this week to protect it from an Arizona wildfire.
As of Friday, a forest official said the Crooks Fire hasn’t moved closer to the Palace Station Historic Stagecoach Stop Cabin in a couple of days, which is good news for the historic landmark.
Video in the player above shows coverage from earlier this week. Officials recently lifted some evacuations in the area as they continue to make progress in fighting the blaze.
The wildland firefighters were able to wrap the entire wooden structure with a tinfoil-like material.
Firefighters on the #crooksfire began structure protection at the Palace Station Historic Stagecoach Stop Cabin. They wrapped the wooden structure with a heat-resistant foil and the cleared brush and vegetation in the area. pic.twitter.com/hpkR9qwNVQ
— Prescott NF (@PrescottNF) April 25, 2022
Along with wrapping the Palace Station, firefighters worked on creating defensible space around the cabin by clearing brush and vegetation in the area.
In a community meeting Thursday night, forest officials spoke about protecting Palace Station as it is their responsibility to protect it.
“We have, as land managers, special responsibility for protecting that cabin. And I say cabin because we're actually in the process of transitioning Palace Station into a cabin rental that the public can actually reserve and camp up there,” said one official.
According to archives from the National Register of Historic Places, Palace Station has been a landmark with a variety of different uses over the years.
It was built around 1873 as a family home before it became an overnight stagecoach stop for travelers. It was used as such until 1910.
Archives say it also had mining and military use, as well as for cattle operations.
Weather- and age-related damage have been repaired over the years in order to retain the structure.
It’s believed to be “one of the oldest structures built by Anglo settlers in Arizona,” according to documents.
As of Friday, April 29, the Crooks Fire, which started on April 18, has burned more than 9,000 acres and is 27% contained.
This story was originally published by Nicole Grigg and Ashley Loose of KNXV in Phoenix, Arizona.
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| 2022-04-30T02:28:40Z
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A historic landmark in the Prescott National Forest was wrapped with a heat-resistant foil this week to protect it from an Arizona wildfire.
As of Friday, a forest official said the Crooks Fire hasn’t moved closer to the Palace Station Historic Stagecoach Stop Cabin in a couple of days, which is good news for the historic landmark.
Video in the player above shows coverage from earlier this week. Officials recently lifted some evacuations in the area as they continue to make progress in fighting the blaze.
The wildland firefighters were able to wrap the entire wooden structure with a tinfoil-like material.
Firefighters on the #crooksfire began structure protection at the Palace Station Historic Stagecoach Stop Cabin. They wrapped the wooden structure with a heat-resistant foil and the cleared brush and vegetation in the area. pic.twitter.com/hpkR9qwNVQ
— Prescott NF (@PrescottNF) April 25, 2022
Along with wrapping the Palace Station, firefighters worked on creating defensible space around the cabin by clearing brush and vegetation in the area.
In a community meeting Thursday night, forest officials spoke about protecting Palace Station as it is their responsibility to protect it.
“We have, as land managers, special responsibility for protecting that cabin. And I say cabin because we're actually in the process of transitioning Palace Station into a cabin rental that the public can actually reserve and camp up there,” said one official.
According to archives from the National Register of Historic Places, Palace Station has been a landmark with a variety of different uses over the years.
It was built around 1873 as a family home before it became an overnight stagecoach stop for travelers. It was used as such until 1910.
Archives say it also had mining and military use, as well as for cattle operations.
Weather- and age-related damage have been repaired over the years in order to retain the structure.
It’s believed to be “one of the oldest structures built by Anglo settlers in Arizona,” according to documents.
As of Friday, April 29, the Crooks Fire, which started on April 18, has burned more than 9,000 acres and is 27% contained.
This story was originally published by Nicole Grigg and Ashley Loose of KNXV in Phoenix, Arizona.
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| 2022-04-30T02:33:47Z
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NEW YORK (AP) — Exxon Mobil reported $5.48 billion in profits during the first quarter as oil and gas prices rose steadily, more than doubling its profits compared with the same quarter last year.
But the oil giant took a huge hit as it abandoned its Russian operations due to the war, writing down $3.4 billion.
Including that loss, the oil giant reported profits of $1.28 per share Friday, which was well below expectations of analysts polled by Factset, who were looking for $2.23 per share.
Revenue at the Irving, Texas company was $90.5 billion, which far exceeded the $59.15 billion in revenue during the same quarter a year ago.
The price of oil climbed steadily during the first quarter after Russia invaded Ukraine, sending European countries which rely heavily on Russia for energy and others scrambling to find alternative sources for fuel. A barrel of the U.S. benchmark crude rose from $76 to nearly $130 per barrel before ending the quarter at $100, and drivers were filling up with increasingly expensive gasoline.
Natural gas prices rose too, climbing from $3.50 per million British thermal units to about $5.60, inflating home heating bills and electricity prices.
“As we think about recent events, our job has never been clearer or more important,” said Darren Woods, CEO, in a conference call with investors Friday. “The need to meet society’s evolving needs reliably and affordably is what consumers and businesses across the globe are demanding and what we delivered this quarter.”
As energy prices rose, Exxon’s stock price also was rising. The company announced Friday it’s expanding a program to repurchase its own stock, telling investors that Exxon could buy back up to $30 billion worth of its shares through 2023. It repurchased shares totaling $2.1 billion during the quarter, shelling out cash to investors as its stock price rose.
Exxon’s production fell to 3.7 million barrels per day of oil-equivalent, down 4% from the fourth quarter of 2021 due to weather-related unscheduled downtime, planned maintenance and divestments, the company said. Production in the Permian Basin grew and the company was on track to deliver a 25% increase in production there in 2022 compared to last year.
Exxon said it plans to eliminate routine flaring, the process of burning off what it considers excess natural gas, in the Permian Basin by the end of the year. Exxon also announced progress on carbon-reduction initiatives. During the quarter, Exxon secured the financing to expand its carbon capture facility in LaBarge, Wyoming and it announced plans to produce renewable fuel.
Shares of Exxon Mobil Corp. fell slightly during morning trading.
Also on Friday, Chevron reported a quarterly profit $6.26 billion, more than four times its earnings in the same period last year. On a per-share basis, profits from the San Ramon, California energy producer were a nickel short of Wall Street expectations, according to a survey by Factset, but Chevron does not adjust its reported results based on one-time events such as asset sales. And revenue surged 41% to $54.37 billion.
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| 2022-04-30T04:37:18Z
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BRUSSELS (AP) — Inflation hit a record in April for the 19 countries that use the euro as skyrocketing fuel prices boosted by the war in Ukraine weigh on the region’s economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
Annual inflation reached 7.5% for the month, topping the old record of 7.4% from March, statistics agency Eurostat said Friday. The April figure was the sixth consecutive record reported for the eurozone.
Eurostat said energy prices jumped 38%, an indication of how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is affecting the eurozone’s 343 million people. The jump in European prices reflects some of the same factors that pushed U.S. annual inflation to 8.5% in March, the highest since 1981.
Fears that the war may lead to an interruption of oil or gas supplies from Russia, the world’s largest oil exporter, have pushed up prices for oil and natural gas. The uncertainty comes on top of rebounding global demand during the recovery from the pandemic and a cautious approach to increasing production from oil cartel OPEC and allied countries, including Russia.
Bottlenecks in supplies of raw materials and parts have also contributed to higher prices.
Governments as well as households are feeling the effects of high inflation. Germany is dropping a charge for supporting renewable energy on electric bills, saving a family of four around 300 euros ($317) a year. Germany’s IG Metall industrial union is proposing an 8.2% annual increase for the country’s steelworkers going into wage talks.
French right-wing leader Marine Le Pen made inflation a key issue in her unsuccessful challenge to President Emmanuel Macron in France’s presidential election this month.
Worries about even higher heating, electricity and auto fuel prices are one factor holding back European governments from deciding to halt energy imports from Russia as part of the sanctions over the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The war in Ukraine is a major setback for the eurozone’s economic recovery,” said Tej Parikh, director in Fitch Ratings’ economics team.
Inflation is also putting uncomfortable pressure on the European Central Bank to look at raising interest rates from record lows in coming months. Higher rates to quell inflation could also weigh on a recovery that has been shaken by the energy crunch, the war, and the latest outbreaks of COVID-19.
Eurostat said economic growth slowed to 0.2% in the first three months of the year as voluntary and government restrictions during the spread of the highly contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus joined with higher inflation to hold back demand as people made less use of in-person services. The first quarter figure was down from 0.3% in the last three months of 2021.
Among major European economies, Germany grew 0.2%, avoiding a recession after output fell 0.3% at the end of 2021. France stagnated at zero growth as government restrictions during the omicron wave hurt activity. Italy’s economy shrank 0.2% as exports declined.
The war, which started Feb. 24, more than halfway through the quarter, is likely to weigh on growth during the coming months.
“Rising inflation and the fallout from the Ukraine war mean that GDP is likely to contract” in the second quarter, “while April’s further big increase in core inflation strengthens the case for a July rate hike” by the ECB, Andrew Kenningham, chief Europe economist at Capital Economics, said.
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| 2022-04-30T04:37:25Z
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Thomas Tighe says helping Ukrainians can generally be done by using existing aid strategies. It’s just a matter of scale and adapting to circumstances on the ground.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, Tighe and the nonprofit humanitarian medical organization Direct Relief, where he has been president and CEO since 2000, have provided more than 50 million doses of medication and 254 tons of medical aid to people in Ukraine and neighboring countries.
Earlier this month, it launched Health 4 Ukraine, a payment and distribution program that will cover 100% of prescription co-pays and 85% of non-prescription drug costs for about 400,000 Ukrainian refugees in Poland. The system was developed and launched with help from Pelion S.A., Poland’s largest healthcare company.
However, there are still some wartime requests that have — as of now — stymied Tighe and his teams.
“We have not been able to fulfill the request for hundreds of ambulances with armor in them,” said Tighe, adding that they are needed to help evacuate Ukrainians with medical issues from the country. “OK, we’re good at a lot of things, but this is not in our typical range.”
The Associated Press recently spoke with Tighe about Ukrainian aid, a topic he will also address Monday at “Crisis in Ukraine and Beyond: How You Can Help Now and Over the Long Run,” a free virtual program co-sponsored by The Associated Press, the Chronicle of Philanthropy and The Conversation. The interview was edited for clarity and length.
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Q. You were recently in Poland working on aid for Ukrainian refugees. How was the experience?
A. It was rewarding, ultimately, to be able to do something. We actually put $10 million behind a program with a private company that wanted to step up and do it and had this capability to create a charitable pharmacy program. The Ukrainians who had to flee and were in Poland were covered by the national health insurance, but could still not obtain medication they needed because the national health insurance has a co-pay requirement. Now they can. I felt like anything you do, it’s not enough. We’ve got to do more. But it’s nice to see.
Q. Direct Relief provides aid for natural disasters, or for health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the logistics and the supplies for those helping out on the front lines. Does any of that operational knowledge transfer to a wartime situation like we have in Ukraine? Or do you have to come up with a brand new game plan?
A. Some does, but at the abstract level. A wildfire, earthquake, hurricane — the disruptive event simultaneously spikes demand for health services, because people get hurt or injured, and decreases the capacity to deliver the service, because hospitals are damaged or roads are out. We’re used to that at the abstract level. The difference here is that if there’s an earthquake, people immediately pull together to try to open up the distribution channel. Here, the capacity is getting worse because hospitals keep getting bombed. There’s targeting of the infrastructure. So when people are trying to open up the supply lines to rebuild the capacity, they keep getting destroyed. That’s the adjustment. You have to reallocate things because it’s a dynamic situation.
Q. Logistics in those situations are hard enough. Layering wartime safety precautions on top of that must make it exponentially harder.
A. It feels like this is an event that should be in black and white in a high school history book or something. Instead, I’m seeing it on TV every night. But what you’re also seeing is this kind of uncommon courage in Ukraine. What the Polish people are doing, it’s embodying righteousness. What the Russians are doing is embodying cruelty. It certainly makes anything we’re doing seem very small. But it’s good motivation to keep doing it.
Q. How would you suggest individual donors who want to help take action?
A. Figure out what you care about. For personal philanthropy, it’s really important to find something you believe in, so that your act of generosity is going to actually translate into something you really feel good about. And that’s such a personal choice. Then, do your homework. It’s just general consumer advice, but look up and see if the group is explaining what they’re doing with the money. I think the downside of these high profile emotionally charged events is it can lend itself to exploitation from a fundraising perspective. The Ukrainian people’s tragedy is not an excuse for fundraising. And there’s an obligation if you receive money for Ukraine, it’s not for you. It’s for you to help the people of Ukraine.
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To hear Tighe speak at “Crisis in Ukraine and Beyond,” a free virtual event co-sponsored by Associated Press, the Chronicle of Philanthropy and The Conversation, register at https://bit.ly/ukrainecrisiswebinar.
Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy.
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NEW YORK (AP) — Russia staved off a default on its debt Friday by making a last-minute payment using its precious dollar reserves sitting outside the country, U.S. Treasury officials said.
The amount of the payment was not disclosed, but earlier this month Russia’s finance ministry said it tried to make a $649 million payment due April 6 toward two bonds to an unnamed U.S. bank — previously reported as JPMorgan Chase.
At that time, tightened sanctions imposed for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prevented the payment from being accepted, so Moscow attempted to make the debt payment in rubles. The Kremlin, which repeatedly said it was financially able and willing to continue to pay on its debts, had argued that extraordinary events gave them the legal footing to pay in rubles, instead of dollars or euros.
Investors andrating agencies, however, disagreed and did not expect Russia to be able to convert the rubles into dollars before a 30-day grace period expired next week, leading to speculation that Moscow was heading toward an historic default on its debt.
Russia has not defaulted on its foreign debts since the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, when the collapse of the Russian Empire led to the creation of the Soviet Union. The governing body over credit default swamps — insurance contracts designed to protect against default — had ruled already that Russia was in default.
Treasury officials, who declined to be named because they weren’t authorized to speak on the record, said Russia tapped into its foreign currency reserves currently sitting outside the country to make Friday’s payment. Since the U.S. sanctioned Russia’s Central Bank early in the conflict, Russia had only the ability to either use fresh revenues coming from activities like oil and gas sales, or existing foreign currency reserves sitting outside the country.
The U.S. has been attempting to force Russia to use its foreign currency reserves — or any revenue from oil and gas sales — in order to deplete the country’s financial resources.
The Russian Finance Ministry said it made the payments at a London branch of Citigroup. A spokeswoman for Citi declined to comment whether the bank had processed that transaction.
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Hussein reported from Washington.
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ISTANBUL (AP) — A Turkish court on Friday acquitted two reporters for the U.S.-based Bloomberg news agency who were accused of trying to undermine Turkey’s economic stability with a story on Turkey’s currency crisis in 2018.
Istanbul-based reporters Kerim Karakaya and Fercan Yalinkilic had faced up to five years in prison over the article they wrote in August 2018.
Some 30 other defendants – including prominent economist Mustafa Sonmez and journalist Sedef Kabas- who were also on trial over their social media comments on Turkey’s economy and banks – were also acquitted.
All defendants, who were charged following a complaint by Turkey’s banking watchdog, had denied the accusations.
Their case was seen as being part of a government crackdown on journalists and media outlets critical of the government. As many as 26 journalists and other media workers are currently in jail, according to Turkey’s Journalists’ Union.
Turkey’s currency hit record lows in the summer of 2018, amid worsening relations with the United States following the arrest of an American pastor.
Turkey’s economy is currently in the throes of another crisis, with inflation sitting at 61% and the lira falling 44% in value against the dollar in 2021.
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| 2022-04-30T04:38:28Z
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Bibb deputies: 30-year-old man shot near Bowden Homes Friday night
The Bibb County Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting that happened on Cedar Avenue near Bowden Homes Friday night.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that happened on Cedar Avenue near Bowden Homes Friday night.
It happened just after 9 o’clock, according to a sheriff’s office news release.
The release said deputies responded to the 2300 block of Houston Avenue regarding a person shot. They were told a 30-year-old man was walking on Cedar Avenue near Bowden Homes when a light-colored car drove by and fired several shots.
The man was struck in the foot. He was taken to Atrium Health Navicent and is in stable condition.
Call the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at (478) 751-7500 or Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-877-68-CRIME if you have additional information.
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Byron man sentenced to life in prison for 2017 shooting
62 year-old David Billings was convicted of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, and Aggravated Assault
BYRON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A man arrested for a murder in 2017 has been sentenced after a four day trial.
According to a post from the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Facebook page, 62 year-old David Billings was convicted of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, and Aggravated Assault. Billings was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole.
Billings was convicted in the shooting death of Lloyd Goldie in June of 2017, where officers came to Billings’ home and found Goldie face down with six gunshot wounds.
He admitted to the shooting, but said it was in self-defense. The jury took less than 2 hours to return the guilty verdict.
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Day 3 highlights and scores from round one of the GHSA baseball playoffs
Round two action begins May 3.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Day three of GHSA baseball playoff action continued today, with Tattnall Square Academy hosting Savannah Country Day in round one of the 1A private bracket.
It didn’t take the Trojans long to score their first runs of the game, as they put up four in the first inning.
Tattnall would tack on another three runs in the fourth inning, but the real damage happens in the sixth.
With a guy on base, the Trojans hit a two-run home run, but just four batters later, they hit a three-run home run, ending the game 12-0 in the sixth inning due to the mercy rule.
Tattnall carried game one’s momentum into game two, winning 9-6. The Trojans move onto round two and face Mount Paran Christian on May 4 on the road.
Here are a few more scores from Middle Georgia.
FPD sweeps Aquinas taking game one 7-1 and game two 17-1. FPD will host the second round of the 1A private bracket but will find out their opponent tomorrow.
Crawford County moves onto the 1A public second-round sweeping Taylor County, winning game one 7-2 and game two 12-2. Crawford County will host Emanuel County Institute on May 4.
Bleckley County moves onto the second round in the 2A bracket sweeping Fitzgerald winning game one 4-1 and game two 13-3. Bleckley will host Pepperell On May 4.
First-round action continues tomorrow.
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ICYMI: Stories you may have missed today on 41NBC News
Top stories from April 29, 2022
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Jones County deputies respond to suicide call, charge man with Murder
- For other stories you may have missed, click here.
Jones County deputies respond to suicide call, charge man with Murder
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Jones County deputies respond to suicide call, charge man with Murder
Deputies responded to a reported suicide call on Holloman Road. When deputies arrived, they found Shyanne Schroader with a gunshot wound.
GRAY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — In March, deputies with the Jones County Sheriff Office were called to respond to a suicide. That case is being ruled as a murder.
Deputies responded to a reported suicide call on Holloman Road. When deputies arrived, they found Shyanne Schroader with a gunshot wound to the head.
Investigators say they had a feeling something wasn’t right about the case.
Schroeder’s husband, Troy Scarborough, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Firearm by a convicted felon.
He remained in custody while investigators looked into the evidence surrounding Schroeder’s death. They were able to determine Scarborough shot her.
He’s now charged with Felony Murder and multiple counts of Aggravated Assault.
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Longtime Jones County athletic director takes over at Stratford Academy
Barry Veal leaves Jones County after 29 years.
GRAY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — After the resignation of former Stratford Academy athletic director Mark Farriba, the Eagles wasted no time naming a new athletic director.
After 21 years as Jones County’s baseball coach and another eight years as the athletic director, longtime Greyhound Barry Veal will be making his way to Macon as the new AD at Stratford Academy.
Veal touched on the long-standing academic success at Stratford, but his personal challenge is to make Stratford into an acclaimed athletic program as well.
“Football Friday nights is something. But for the kids that are playing tennis or the kids that are playing baseball or whatever the sport it may be, that is their football Friday night. And we want to make them feel the same way. So every sport is important. We want to be good in every sport. And we want people when they think of Stratford not only to think of academics but think of athletics,” said Veal.
AD Veal is currently taking care of both athletic programs and will officially become the full-time Stratford athletic director beginning June 1.
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Man with gun arrested at Dublin bank
When officers arrived on scene, they approached the suspect who briefly put his hands up. As officers approached though, he reached for an ar-15 rifle in the seat.
DUBLIN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A man was arrested at the Morris State Bank in downtown Dublin Friday.
Police say Tommy Green entered the bank around 9 a.m., and told employees he had been brought to the bank by Timar Loyd, who was sitting in the parking lot with a gun. Green said Loyd threatened to go inside if he didn’t get money Green owed.
When officers arrived on scene, they approached the suspect who briefly put his hands up then he reached for an ar-15 rifle in the seat.
Officers were able to arrest Loyd and found two firearms, drug paraphernalia, cocaine, and marijuana.
Investigators say Green owed Loyd money for drugs, and Loyd drove Green to the bank to withdraw the money he was owed.
Loyd is charged with obstruction of an officer, several drug and gun related crimes, and driving with a suspended license.
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| 2022-04-30T04:55:56Z
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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina House has approved a bill that requires doctors to tell women who seek medication to have an abortion that there is an unproven way to reverse the procedure.
The 71-29 vote Wednesday sent the bill to the Senate, where its ultimate fate is unclear.
There are just six legislative days left in the 2022 General Assembly’s regular session.
Chemical abortions require two drugs and the bill would have doctors say research has shown a pregnancy can be saved after the first pill is taken.
But several OB-GYNs testified during a subcommittee hearing there is no clinical proof the procedure can be reversed and attempts could endanger the life of the woman.
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QAnon loyalists, COVID deniers, neo-Nazis and a former American president: The list of people banned from Twitter is long, but their exile could soon come to an end if Elon Musk’s $44 billion offer for the platform is approved.
Musk, the world’s richest man and the owner of SpaceX and Tesla, calls himself a free speech absolutist who believes in allowing any content that doesn’t run afoul of the law.
While Musk hasn’t offered specifics about how he would run the platform, his musings are prompting celebrations from some of those muzzled by Twitter, even as they alarm internet safety experts who predict a rise in harassment, hate speech and misinformation about topics like vaccines and elections.
“There’s no reason why these folks wouldn’t want to be in this space,” said Jaime Longoria, manager of research and training at the Disinfo Defense League, a non-profit that works with local organizations to combat the effects of misinformation. “Ultimately I think Elon’s premise to save the public square is going to create a square that nobody wants to be in.”
From former President Donald Trump to conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to white supremacist David Duke, here’s a look at who might be coming back to Twitter if Musk’s offer to buy it is approved.
TWEETER IN CHIEF
Trump said he won’t return to Twitter even if Musk lifts the ban imposed following the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, attackon the U.S. Capitol. The platform cited concerns of further incitement to violence.
Followinghis banishment,Trump created his own platform, Truth Social, whichlaunched earlier this year.
“I am not going on Twitter. I am going to stay on Truth,” Trump told Fox News this past week. “I hope Elon buys Twitter because he’ll make improvements to it and he is a good man, but I am going to be staying on Truth.”
Trump built one of the world’s largest Twitter followings before his suspension, using his account to demean critics, spread lies about the 2020 election and amplify potentially dangerous misinformation about COVID-19.
Despite what the former president said, returning to Twitter may be too tempting to resist, said Emerson Brooking, resident fellow at the Digital Forensic Research Lab of the Atlantic Council.
“If Donald Trump is the presidential nominee for the Republican Party in 2024, it’s almost unthinkable that he won’t return to Twitter the moment he has the opportunity to do so,” Brooking said.
Two former top advisers to Trump — Steve Bannon and Roger Stone — were also banned by Twitter after repeatedly violating their rules. Bannon was kicked off for calling for the beheading of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease specialist.
Stone, ultimately suspended for a series of vulgar threats against CNN journalists, tried to create a new Twitter account Thursday but was quickly re-suspended.
Other Trump allies kicked off Twitter include Michael Flynn and Sidney Powell, Lin Wood and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who was permanently banned in January for repeatedly spreading misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccine safety.
HATE SPEECH AND WHITE SUPREMACISM
Perhaps the trickiest challenge for Musk will be content that, while legal, preaches hate based on things like race, gender, sexual orientation or religion.
White supremacists banned by Twitter include Duke and the Proud Boys organization, along with far-right trolls like one who goes by the name Baked Alaska, who promoted anti-Semitic tropes and faces charges stemming from his involvement in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Twitter’s efforts to police hate speech have had mixed results. While some extremist leaders have been vanquished, a quick search of the platform turns up numerous racist slurs and attacks.
Several admitted white supremacists still on Twitter celebrated news of Musk’s interest in the platform, predicting this ownership will mean looser rules. “We are liberated!” one wrote this week.
“The extremists are celebrating,” tweeted Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League. “They believe he will usher in a ‘new era’ on Twitter & that they’ll return to the platform. This is dangerous.”
CONSPIRACY THEORISTS AND QANON
Twitter began cracking down on QAnon content on its platform years ago and accelerated the process following the attack on the Capitol. More than 150,000 accounts had been suspended as of last year, according to the company’s latest update.
QAnon followers advocate a conspiracy theory rooted in the baseless belief that Trump was fighting so-called deep state enemies and a cabal of Satan-worshipping cannibals operating a child sex trafficking ring. The mob that stormed the Capitol included some believers.
Now, some of them are eager to get back on Twitter.
“The Twitter deal is done,” Ron Watkins, a prominent QAnon leader, wrote on the platform Telegram. Watkins’ Twitter account was spiked last year. “Banned accounts will be restored,” he predicted.
Other conspiracy theorists have also felt Twitter’s sting, though usually only when their stated beliefs have pushed over into hate or harassment.
David Icke was kicked off the platform two years ago for spreading misinformation about COVID-19, including claims that Jews and 5G towers were behind the pandemic. Icke is a prominent advocate of the belief that a race of lizard people have taken over the Earth by posing as human leaders.
Alex Jones, the creator of Infowars, was permanently banned in 2018 for abusive behavior. Jones recently lost a defamation casefiled by the parents of children killed in the 2012 Newtown, Connecticut, school shooting over Jones’ repeated claims that the shooting was fake. Twenty first graders and six teachers were killed in the massacre. Infowars is now seeking bankruptcy protection.
HAPPY IN EXILE?
Trump may not be the only user kicked off Twitter who ends up happy in a new home. Other new platforms, like Gab, GETTR and Parler, have grown in recent years by catering to conservative and far-right users who dislike Twitter and Facebook’s moderation policies.
The new sites have little to no moderation, meaning Nazi imagery, homophobic threats and misogynistic content can be easily found alongside conversations about U.S. politics and culture.
After Musk’s purchase offer, Gab CEO Andrew Torba predicted the billionaire will struggle to realize his vision for Twitter. While Trump may be sticking with his own new platform for competitive reasons, other conservatives may not be immediately tempted by Musk’s promises of free speech absolutism. Twitter’s employees, for one, may put up a fight, according to Torba.
Parler CEO George Farmer sounded a similar note in a message to users.
“We are going nowhere,” Farmer wrote.
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| 2022-04-30T22:27:52Z
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A St. Martinville Senior High School coach was arrested Saturday, accused of punching a parish council member in the race.
Lucinda Darby, who is the volleyball coach at the school, was booked with battery in connection with an incident that happened at Mayor Melinda Mitchell's political rally Friday night, a release from St. Martinville Police states.
She's accused of punching a St. Martin Parish Councilwoman in the face, the release states.
The rally was held at a bar on South Main Street. Darby allegedly walked up to the council member and started a verbal argument, the release states. The councilwoman said that the rally was not the place to discuss the issue, and that's when Darby allegedly punched the woman in the face, the release states.
St. Martinville Police obtained a warrant and booked Darby into the parish jail this morning, the release states.
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| 2022-04-30T22:29:18Z
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A silver alert has been issued for a missing 71-year-old from St. Martin Parish.
The Louisiana State Police has issued the alert on behalf of the Breaux Bridge Police Department.
They are asking for help in locating 71-year-old Gregg Skelly, who was reported missing to BBPD on Friday.
Troopers say he was last seen 3:00 P.M. on Raspy Road in Parks, LA on April 29, 2022.
Gregg Skelly is described as having short gray hair and brown eyes. He is approximately 5’9” tall and weighs about 200 pounds.
He was last seen driving a white 2014 Ram 4-door pickup bearing license plate number C512165.
Anyone having any information as to the whereabouts of Gregg Skelly should immediately contact the Breaux Bridge Police Department at 337-332-2186 or local law enforcement. Any inquiries into this case should be directed to the Breaux Bridge Police Department.
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (famuathletics.com) — Florida A&M softball hosted Alabama State as they honored seniors Brandice Boatwright, Zoi Hall, and Anizya Vargas.
The Rattlers did not have their best performances, falling to Alabama State 10-2, then 8-2 in the Rattlers' final regular-season game.
Brandice Boatwright had one hit and two strikeouts, Zoi Hall had two hits and an RBI, and Anizya Vargas had two hits and a run on the Highest of Seven Hills in their final games.
The Rattlers shift their attention to the SWAC Tournament as they travel to Gulfport, Mississippi. The tournament begins Tuesday, May 10, and goes through Friday, May 13.
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I am coming with faith-based capital project, social transformation capital, Ogah says as he joins Abia guber race
Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Sampson Ogah, on Friday, formally declared his intention to contest for governorship seat of Abia, come 2023.
Ogah who is an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Abia said when elected Abia Governor in 2023, “I am coming with two cardinal projects. First is the faith-based capital project and the second is the social transformation capital for Abians for first time, see visible changes built on these two great pillars.”
While with the faith-based pillar, he said his government will be rooted in accountability to God with a new value orientation of governance, anchored on excellence, professionalism and ethics, “under the social transformation pillar, our government will be anchored on economic and infrastructural development, agricultural and rural development, qualitative healthcare delivery, education transformation, security reform and crime control”.
He also highlighted People, Policy and Innovation, PPI approach as an indicator “Every Abian shall notice within my first 100 days in office.”
IN CASE YOU MISSED THESE FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
- ‘Officials initially offered to help but when the number of able-bodied citizens at the centre increased, they left us unattended to’
- Why Ogun Tops List Of ‘Yahoo Boys’ In Nigeria ― Governor Abiodun
- Police, Amotekun after criminals on Lagos-Ibadan expressway
- Suspected cannibal pays N500,000 for boy’s human organs, says ‘that’s my favourite meal, especially the throat’
- Court awards Nnamdi Kanu N1 billion over invasion of his home by military, asks FG to apologise
He assured that the welfare of the people shall be accorded priority including prompt payment of workers’ salary, gratuity and pensions shall be a right and not a privilege, while workers shall be constantly motivated for optimum delivery of services, while “Abians in diaspora shall be glad to return home and contribute in building our state and we shall aim for quality in physical structures, quality education qualitative and accessible healthcare system, qualified and motivated health personnel, teachers, and public officials who will man various positions that touch on the lives of Abians daily.
Ogah said he was driven by his love for Abia and “a firm commitment to a vision of a rapid transformation” of the state to contest and vowed to make Abians rejoice by offering them “visionary, competent and purposeful leadership.”
In his speech, Chairman of Abia APC, Hon. Obioma Iheanacho said the entrance of Ogah into the governorship race has added value to the party, assuring that the party would conduct free and fair primary to choose a credible governorship candidate.
Also speaking, the immediate past Chairman of the party, Chief Donatus Nwankpa, commended Ogah for taking the bold step of declaring to join the Abia governorship race and promised all party faithful that Abia APC was working hard to take over the State Government House, come 2023.
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| 2022-05-01T04:47:35Z
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Police raid criminals hideouts in Gombe, warns politicians against violent campaigns
All identified hideouts in Gombe State are being raided by personnel of the State Police Command as part of measures to ensure a hitch-free Sallah celebration.
The disclosure was made by the State Commissioner of Police, Ishola Babaita, in a press release, he issued to journalists in Gombe on Saturday.
He also said that aside from raiding criminals’ hideouts, surveillance patrols would be conducted in parts of the state to neutralise any likely threats to the peace and security of the state.
The commissioner of police, therefore, warned politicians in the state to adhere strictly to the timetable provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the schedule of activities for the 2023 general elections.
He threatened that any individual or persons who sponsor or encourages political campaigns or rallies at the Eid praying grounds would be arrested.
The command also called on parents to be careful over the movement of their children during the festival to avoid getting missing.
This is just as the Police Commissioner boss people in the state to be conscious of their personal security and report any suspicious persons to the command via its emergency lines; 08150567771 and 09036435359.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
‘Officials initially offered to help but when the number of able-bodied citizens at the centre increased, they left us unattended to’
With the imminent disconnection of the SIM cards of Nigerian phone users who failed to enroll for the National Identification Number (NIN) registration, This report unearths the unsavoury treatment of persons with disabilities at NIMC enrolment centres in the six South-West states which is in disobedience of the provisions of the Disabilities Act and other laws.
Court Awards Nnamdi Kanu N1 Billion Over Invasion Of His Home By Military, Asks FG To Apologise
Justice Benson Anya of the Abia State High Court sitting in Umuahia on Wednesday awarded the sum of N1 billion to the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, over the 2017 invasion of his Afara Ukwu home by the military.
Why Ogun Tops List Of ‘Yahoo Boys’ In Nigeria ― Governor Abiodun
The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said that the presence of many educational institutions in the state was one of the factors why the state tops the list of internet fraudsters popularly known as ‘Yahoo boys’ in the country.
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| 2022-05-01T20:45:27Z
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Tesla CEO Elon Musk has laid out some bold, if still vague, plans for transforming Twitter into a place of “maximum fun” once he buys the social media platform for $44 billion and takes it private.
But enacting what at the moment are little more than a mix of vague principles and technical details could be considerably more complicated than he suggests.
Here’s what might happen if Musk follows through on his ideas about free speech, fighting spam and opening up the “black box” of artificial intelligence tools that amplify social media trends.
FREE SPEECH TOWN SQUARE
Musk’s feistiest priority — but also the one with the vaguest roadmap — is to make Twitter a “politically neutral” digital town square for the world’s discourse that allows as much free speech as each country’s laws allow.
He’s acknowledged that his plans to reshape Twitter could anger the political left and mostly please the right. He hasn’t specified exactly what he’ll do about former President Donald Trump’s permanently banned account or other right-wing leaders whose tweets have run afoul of the company’s restrictions against hate speech, violent threats or harmful misinformation.
Should Musk go this direction, it could mean bringing back not only Trump, but “many, many others that were removed as a result of QAnon conspiracies, targeted harassment of journalists and activists, and of course all of the accounts that were removed after Jan. 6,” said Joan Donovan, who studies misinformation at Harvard University. “That could potentially be hundreds of thousands of people.”
Musk hasn’t ruled out suspending some accounts, but says such bans should be temporary. His latest criticism has centered around what he described as Twitter’s “incredibly inappropriate” 2020 blocking of a New York Post article on Hunter Biden, which the company has said was a mistake and corrected within 24 hours.
OPEN-SOURCED ALGORITHMS
Musk’s longstanding interest in AI is reflected in one of the most specific proposals he outlined in his merger announcement — the promise of “making the algorithms open source to increase trust.” He’s talking about the systems that rank content to decide what shows up on users’ feeds.
Partly driving the distrust, at least for Musk supporters, is lore among U.S. political conservatives about “shadow banning” on social media. This is a supposed invisible feature for reducing the reach of badly behaving users without disabling their accounts. There has been no evidence that Twitter’s platform is biased against conservatives; studies have found the opposite when it comes to conservative media in particular.
Musk has called for posting the underlying computer code powering Twitter’s news feed for public inspection on the coder hangout GitHub. But such “code-level transparency” gives users little insight into how Twitter is working for them without the data the algorithms are processing, said Nick Diakopoulos, a Northwestern University computer scientist.
Diakopoulos said there are good intentions in Musk’s broader goal to help people find out why their tweets get promoted or demoted and whether human moderators or automated systems are making those choices. But that’s no easy task. Too much transparency about how individual tweets are ranked, for instance, can make it easier for “disingenuous people” to game the system and manipulate an algorithm to get maximum exposure for their cause, Diakopoulos said.
‘DEFEATING THE SPAM BOTS’
“Spam bots” that mimic real people have been a personal nuisance to Musk, whose popularity on Twitter has inspired countless impersonator accounts that use his image and name — often to promote cryptocurrency scams that look as if they’re coming from the Tesla CEO.
Sure, Twitter users, among them Musk, “don’t want spam,” said David Greene, civil liberties director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. But who defines what counts as a spam bot?
“Do you mean all bots like, you know, if I follow a Twitter bot that just pulls up historic photos of fruits? I choose to follow that. Is that not allowed to exist?” he said.
There are also plenty of spam-filled Twitter accounts at least partially run by real people that run the gamut from ones that hawk products to those promoting polarizing political content to meddle in other countries’ elections.
‘AUTHENTICATE ALL HUMANS’
Musk has repeatedly said he wants Twitter to “authenticate all humans,” an ambiguous proposal that could be related to his desire to rid the website of spam accounts.
Ramping up mundane identity checks — such as two-factor authentication or popups that ask which of six photos shows a school bus — could discourage anyone from trying to amass an army of bogus accounts.
Musk might also be considering offering more people a “blue check” — the verification checkmark sported on notable Twitter accounts — like Musk’s — to show they’re who they say they are. Musk has suggested users could buy the checkmarks as part of a premium service.
But some digital rights activists are concerned these measures could lead to a “real-name” policy resembling Facebook’s approach of forcing people to validate their full names and use them in their profiles. That would seem to contradict Musk’s free speech focus by muzzling anonymous whistleblowers or people living under authoritarian regimes where it can be dangerous if a dissident message is attributable to a particular person.
AD-FREE TWITTER?
Musk has floated the idea of an ad-free Twitter, though it wasn’t one of the priorities outlined in the official merger announcement. That may be because cutting off the company’s chief way of making money would be a tall order, even for the world’s richest person.
Advertisements accounted for more than 92% of Twitter’s revenue in the January-March fiscal quarter. The company did last year launch a premium subscription service — known as Twitter Blue — but doesn’t appear to have made much headway in getting people to pay for it.
Musk has made clear he favors a stronger subscription-based model for Twitter that gives more people an ad-free option. That would also fit into his push to relax Twitter’s content restrictions — which brands largely favor because they don’t want their ads surrounded by offensive and hate-filled tweets.
WHAT ELSE?
Musk has tweeted and voiced so many proposals for Twitter that it can be hard to know which ones he takes seriously. He’s joined the popular call for an “edit button” — which Twitter says it’s already working on — that would enable people to fix a tweet shortly after posting it. A less serious proposal from Musk suggested converting Twitter’s downtown San Francisco headquarters to a homeless shelter “since no one shows up anyway” — a comment taken more as a dig on Twitter’s pandemic-era workforce than an altruistic vision for the building.
Musk didn’t return an emailed request to clarify his plans.
——-
AP Technology Writer Barbara Ortutay contributed to this report.
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| 2022-05-02T13:03:39Z
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WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand welcomed tourists from the U.S., Canada, Britain, Japan and more than 50 other countries for the first time in more than two years Monday after dropping most of its remaining pandemic border restrictions.
The country has long been renowned for its breathtaking scenery and adventure tourism offerings such as bungy jumping and skiing. Before the spread of COVID-19, more than 3 million tourists visited each year, accounting for 20% of New Zealand’s foreign income and more than 5% of the overall economy.
But international tourism stopped altogether in early 2020 after New Zealand imposed some of the world’s toughest border restrictions.
The border rules remained in place as the government at first pursued an elimination strategy and then tried to tightly control the spread of the virus. The spread of omicron and vaccinations of more than 80% of New Zealand’s 5 million population prompted the gradual easing of restrictions.
New Zealand reopened to tourists from Australia three weeks ago and on Monday to about 60 visa-waiver countries, including much of Europe. Most tourists from India, China and other non-waiver countries are still not allowed to enter.
Tourists will need to be vaccinated and to test themselves for the virus before and after arriving.
“Today is a day to celebrate, and is a big moment in our reconnection with the world,” said Tourism Minister Stuart Nash.
At Auckland Airport, flights bringing in tourists began landing from early in the morning, coming in direct from places including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.
The border reopening will help boost tourism ahead of New Zealand’s upcoming ski season. But the real test of how much the tourism industry rebounds will come in December, when the peak summer season begins in the Southern Hemisphere nation.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said more than 90,000 people had booked flights to New Zealand in the seven weeks since the reopening was announced and 21 international flights were scheduled to land Monday in Auckland.
“Our tourism industry have felt the effects of the global pandemic acutely, and are working hard to prepare,” she said.
Ardern said there were no immediate plans to ease virus testing and vaccination requirements for tourists.
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| 2022-05-02T13:03:52Z
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Hot week on deck for Middle Georgia
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Summer conditions are taking over in Middle Georgia this week.
Today
It was another mild morning around Middle Georgia. Temperatures were in the low to mid 60s and there were a handful of clouds overhead. Partly cloudy skies will dominate Middle Georgia all week along along with winds out of the southwest and temperatures in the upper 80s and lower 90s. For today highs are likely to reach into the upper 80s for most of the region with a few select spots reaching into the lower 90s. A few isolated pop-up showers and storms will likely begin to fire up during the later afternoon hours. Most of the region will not see rain, however for those that do the storms should be short lived. Severe activity is not anticipated with any pop-up storms.
Partly cloudy conditions will roll into tonight for the region as well. The wind will remain out of the southwest at about 5 mph. A few showers will remain possible early on, however by midnight all rain activity should cease. Low temperatures will be in the low to mid 60s once again.
Tomorrow
With the exception of slightly hotter temperatures in the afternoon, there is very little difference in the forecast between Monday and Tuesday. Cloud cover will be partly sunny as the wind continues to come in from the southwest, this time around 5-10 mph. Highs will reach into the lower 90s for more spots during the afternoon hours, and isolated showers and storms will fire up again during the later afternoon hours. No severe weather is expected.
Overnight the skies will still be partly cloudy as rain activity comes to a stop after the sunset. The southwest winds will continue to blow in at 5-10 mph, and lows will drop into the low to mid 60s.
Wednesday and Beyond
Almost the entirety of Middle Georgia should push into the 90s by Wednesday afternoon. Pop-up storms will fire up in the late afternoon hours under partly cloudy skies, and the wind will still come in from the south-southwest. Skies will remain partly cloudy overnight with lows in the mid to upper 60s.
Thursday will be the hottest day of the week as some spots come close to pushing into the mid 90s, likely setting record highs. Isolated storms will fire up in the afternoon and evening. Lows will be in the upper 60s and lower 70s under mostly cloudy skies.
A cold front on Friday will bring some more widespread rain chances as well as some cooler conditions, dropping temperatures in the region back into the low to mid 80s for afternoon highs. It will also shift the wind back to the northwest to dry things out a little from the humidity.
Follow Meteorologist Aaron Lowery on Facebook (Aaron Lowery 41NBC) and Twitter (@ALowWX) for weather updates throughout the day. Also, you can watch his forecasts Monday through Friday on 41NBC News at Daybreak (6-7 a.m.) and 41Today (11 a.m).
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Man killed in hit and run on Pio Nono Avenue
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A man died after being struck by a car around 10:00 p.m. Saturday night in the 2800 block of Pio Nono Avenue.
61-year-old Nathaniel Poole, of Macon, was crossing Pio Nono Avenue on foot. He was in the north bound lanes of the 2800 block of Pio Nono Avenue when he was struck by a white car. The white car did not stop. Poole was pronounced deceased on scene by Deputy Coroner L. Stone. Next of kin has been notified.
The white car has extensive front end damage. The traffic collision is still under investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Bibb Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500
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| 2022-05-02T15:15:46Z
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Man shot in traffic on Pio Nono Avenue
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A man was shot while driving Saturday on Pio Nono Avenue near Spencer Circle just after 5:00 p.m.
According to a press release, a 60-year-old male was traveling on Pio Nono Avenue when a green Ford Expedition pulling a fishing boat came up behind his car. The victim stated that the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and changing lane aggressively. The vehicle then went around the victim’s vehicle and slammed on brakes almost immediately. The victim went around the Ford Expedition and that is when the driver pointed a rifle at his vehicle and fired multiple shots, then sped off. The victim was struck in the back and drove himself to the Atrium Hospital and is listed in stable condition.
This incident is still under investigation, anyone with information about the vehicle and driver are urged to contact the Bibb Sheriff’s Office at 478-751 -7500 or Macon Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.
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| 2022-05-02T15:15:49Z
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A man missing from St. Martin Parish has been found dead, police say.
A Silver Alert was issued last week for Gregg Skelly, who was missing from a home in Breaux Bridge. He was last seen on April 29.
Breaux Bridge Police say he was found dead, and they are investigating.
Skelly was 71 years old.
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| 2022-05-02T16:49:01Z
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A Morgan City woman has been identified as the person pulled from the Atchafalaya River near Berwick
St. Mary Parish Deputies say on Sunday morning, May 1, 2022, Marine Section deputies were dispatched to a call of a body in the water around 5 miles south of Berwick.
The Marine Deputies arrived at the location and recovered the body of an unidentified female. After an investigation, they have determined the identity of the woman as 38-year-old Monique Barrilleaux of Morgan City.
The investigation is ongoing, they say.
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Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
To reach the newsroom or report a typo/correction, click HERE.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Evening News Headlines, Latest COVID-19 Headlines, Morning News Headlines, Special Offers
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https://www.katc.com/news/st-mary-parish/person-pulled-from-atchafalaya-river-near-berwick-identified
| 2022-05-02T16:49:07Z
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COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Denmark announced a Cabinet reshuffle on Monday after Justice Minister Nick Haekkerup resigned to become the new head of the Danish Brewers’ Association.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, of the Social Democrats, chose Integration Minister Mattias Tesfaye as the new justice minister to replace Haekkerup.
Housing Minister Kaare Dybvad Bek became the new integration minister and was replaced by Christian Rabjerg Madsen, a member of parliament.
It was the second government shuffle since Frederiksen became prime minister as head of a minority Social Democratic government on June 27, 2019.
Haekkerup will take up his new job as head of the industry association for Denmark’s beer business as of June 1, and he will resign from parliament.
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| 2022-05-02T19:02:17Z
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The motto for Great Valley High School and its 1,400 students in the Pennsylvania borough of Malvern, about 25 miles west of Philadelphia, is “Creating a new age of learning.”
It may be helping create a new age of conversation, too.
By all accounts, political polarization is growing in the United States, having seeped into schools during the pandemic over what steps were needed — or not — to protect children from COVID-19 and now spreading to issues including Critical Race Theory and gender identity. A survey by the RAND Corporation found that nearly 75% of school leaders around the country worry that political polarization disrupts their ability to teach.
That isn’t generally the case at Great Valley High School — especially not in Kim Barben’s Advanced Placement United States Government class.
“We as a society have become so polarized by partisan politics that it really impedes what we can do as a nation,” said Barben, who is celebrating her 20th year as a teacher, during the the past two of which she has taught AP Government at Great Valley. “It’s important for the kids to understand that once you pull the politics away, you go to the Constitution. That’s really the basis for our government.”
With support from the National Constitution Center and its Interactive Constitution initiative, Barben and hundreds of other teachers across the country have the opportunity to demonstrate to students that not everything need be political. They learn how to disagree without being disagreeable.
It’s a process that Barben’s students have found engaging and useful. Dami Babalola says the class shows how the Constitution still shapes government policy. Safwaan Ahmer says the class draws upon specific passages from the Constitution, which keeps the focus of debates on words and not on disagreements. And Emily De Rezende says she finds the class calming because it seeks answers collaboratively.
“So much of the news is like, you’re on one side or the other,” De Rezende said. “Then you come into this class, where it’s really not about the politics of today. It’s more about looking at what the ideals of our founding documents are and trying to apply the best moral standard to those words.”
“Everyone’s really just trying to do their best to interpret the Constitution in their own way,” she adds.
That reaction is exactly what the National Constitution Center was hoping for when it launched the Interactive Constitution in 2015. Yet its expansion, like so many things during the COVID-19 pandemic, was anything but planned.
“It is based on the idea of common ground, and it’s designed to be America’s leading nonpartisan platform for Constitutional education and debate,” said Jeffrey Rosen, the center’s president and CEO. “It brings together the top liberal and conservative scholars in America, nominated by the conservative Federalist Society and the progressive American Constitution Society, to write about every clause of the Constitution describing what they agree about and what they disagree about.”
That means you can read what the conservative Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett of the Supreme Court thinks about The Suspension Clause and where she disagreed with former Acting Solicitor General of the United States Neil Katyal, who served in the Obama administration and is now an MSNBC contributor. What may be more striking in these polarized times is that you can see where the Barrett and Katyal actually agree.
The National Constitution Center expanded the program to schools in 2019, funded by the Bezos Family Foundation, the Charles Koch Institute and the Laura and Gary Lauder Family Venture Philanthropy Fund. But the program really took off once students turned to virtual learning early in the pandemic.
Kerry Sautner, the center’s chief learning officer, saw it blossom during a virtual discussion about the First Amendment that included students from the United States and 20 other countries. Some students from abroad were confused about the concept of free speech, while the Americans learned that not every country provides the same freedoms theirs does.
“They build these norms together — how we talk to each other, how we give structure to that conversation,” Sautner said. “They can take these skills and apply them for the rest of their lives. And we’re seeing that, which is so exciting.”
The students soon began sharing their lessons and the videos of classes featuring Constitutional scholars with the adults in their lives, further expanding the reach of the program.
Sarah Ruger, vice president of free expression at the Charles Koch Institute, one of the program’s funders, said she hopes the program’s success can be scaled for more classrooms across the country.
“What gets me really excited about this program is the format that exposes students to a productive discussion of differing ideas,” Ruger said. “In a democracy as diverse as America is, we cannot — nor would we ever want to — eliminate disagreement. What we have to have is a world where we disagree better and have better-quality conflicts that drive towards innovation and progress and change rather than degrading and polarizing us in a toxic way. And there’s nowhere more critically important to do that than at the K-12 level.”
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Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy.
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| 2022-05-02T19:03:00Z
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Spring festival season continues this week in Breaux Bridge, where the Crawfish Festival will be held in Parc Hardy.
Festivities begin Wednesday and Thursday with the carnival. Music and other events start on Friday and continue through Sunday.
Family nights are Wednesday and Thursday at the fair, with wristbands for $25 per person.
After that, admission is:
Friday May 6, 2022 – $5.00
Saturday May 7, 2022 – $10.00
Sunday May 8, 2022 – $5.00
Advance 3-Day Pass – $15.00 (Available the week of the festival at the festival office or the festival grounds and will not sell out of passes)
On Friday, the music starts. Here's the line-up:
FRIDAY MAY 6, 2022
CRAWFISH STAGE
5:30 – 7:30 pm – Dylan Aucoin & the Judice Ramblers
7:45 – 9:45 pm – Wayne Toups & Zydecajun
10:00 – 12:00 am – Four Horses
FESTIVAL STAGE
5:15 – 7:00 pm -Cajun Stompers
7:15 – 9:15 pm – Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin Cajuns
9:30 – 11:30 pm – Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band
BREAUX BRIDGE TENT
8:00 – 10:00 pm – Gerald Gruenig & Gentilly Zydeco
SATURDAY MAY 7, 2022
CRAWFISH STAGE
10:00 – 11:30 am – Poisson Rouge
11:45 – 1:15 pm – Paul Daigle & Cajun Gold
1:30 – 3:00 pm – Beausoleil
3:15 – 5:15 pm – Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys
5:30 – 7:30 pm – Corey Ledet & the Zydeco Band
7:45 – 9:45 pm – Alex Touchet
10:00 – 12:00 am – Nik-L-Beer
FESTIVAL STAGE
10:15 – 11:45 am – Forest Huval
12:00 – 1:30 pm – Soul Creole
1:45 – 3:15 pm – Rusty Metoyer & the Zydeco Krush
3:30 – 5:00 pm – Huval Family Band
5:15 – 7:00 pm – Pine Leaf Boys
7:15 – 9:15 pm – Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners
9:30 – 11:30 pm – Travis Matte & the Kingpins
BREAUX BRIDGE TENT
7:30 – 9:30 pm – Sweet Cecilia with Mary Harris & Brazos Huval
SUNDAY MAY 8, 2022
CRAWFISH STAGE
9:00 – 10:30 am – Treble on the Teche
10:45 – 12:15 pm – La Recolte
12:30 – 2:00 pm – Jambalaya Cajun Band
2:15 – 4:00 pm – Richard LeBouef
FESTIVAL STAGE
10:30 – 12:00 pm – Donny Broussard & the Louisiana Stars
12:15 – 1:45 pm – Swampland Revival
2:00 – 4:00 pm – Lil Nate & the Zydeco Big Timers
BREAUX BRIDGE TENT
2:00 – 4:00 pm – Brazos Huval School of Music
There are other events planned, here's a rundown:
FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2022 EVENTS
4:00pm – Festival Grounds Open – Information & Souvenir, Food, Beer, Coke, Water, Liquor, Commercial Vendors, Arts & Crafts Booths, Carnival Open
4:30pm – Opening Ceremonies – Crawfish Stage
4:45pm – Celebrity Crawfish Eating Contest – Crawfish Stage
5:15pm-6:45 pm – Cajun Dance Lesson, Breaux Bridge Tent – Cal & Lou Courville
12:00am – Festival Grounds Close
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2022 EVENTS
10:00am – Festival Grounds Open – Information & Souvenir, Food, Beer, Coke, Water, Liquor, Commercial Vendors, Arts & Crafts Booths, Carnival Open
10:00am – Cajun Cooking Demonstration – Breaux Bridge Tent
11:30am-12:30pm – Cajun Dance Lesson, Breaux Bridge Tent – Cal & Lou Courville
12:45pm-1:45pm – Cajun Dance Lesson, Breaux Bridge Tent – Cal & Lou Courville
2:00pm – Zydeco Dance Contest – Festival Stage*
2:00pm – Crawfish Eating Contest – Breaux Bridge Tent*
3:15pm – Crawfish Races – Breaux Bridge Tent*
3:45pm – Cajun Dance Contest – Festival Stage*
4:15pm-5:15pm – Cajun Dance Lesson – Breaux Bridge Tent – Cal & Lou Courville
5:30pm-6:30pm – Cajun & Zydeco Dance Lesson – Breaux Bridge Tent
12:00am – Festival Grounds Close
SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2022 EVENTS
9:00am – Festival Grounds Open – Information & Souvenir, Food, Beer, Coke, Water, Liquor, Commercial Vendors, Arts & Crafts Booths, Carnival Open
9:00am – Crawfish Etouffée Cookoff – Breaux Bridge Tent*
9:30am – Parade – Bridge Street to Rees Street to Parc Hardy
12:00pm – Cook-off Judging & Sampling – Time Approximate
4:00pm – Festival Grounds Close
*Register at Information Booth prior to contest
For more details and information, visit the website here or the Facebook page here.
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Early voting starts in Middle Georgia
If you plan to vote early, there are a few things to keep in mind.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Early voting started Monday.
If you plan to vote early, there are a few things to keep in mind.
One of the most important things to remember is to bring your ID.
We visited several voting locations in Middle Georgia Monday and saw a few people turn out to vote.
Andy Holland with the Houston County Board of Elections says they were all hands on deck with increased staff and extra machines.
“We kind of didn’t know what to prepare for this first election in 2022 with the primary going on, with the governor’s (race) on the ballet,” he said.
Holland also mentioned Houston County’s new voting location at the North Houston Sports Complex.
“We’re hoping that it will alleviate some of the turnout that comes at the (Houston Health) pavilion,” he said. “It will help reduce wait times at that location.”
If you plan on voting in Houston County, there are four locations open:
- Houston County Board of Elections 2030 Kings Chapel Road, Perry
- Houston Health Pavilion Conference Center, 233 North Houston Road, Warner Robins
- Central Georgia Technical College Roy H. “Sonny Watson Health Sciences” 71 Cohen Walker Drive, Warner Robins
- North Houston Sports Complex 900 North Houston Road, Warner Robins
Voting in Houston County is from May 2- 20, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday, May 7 and 14 from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Holland says if you are planning to vote in Houston County, there are sample ballots to help guide you through the process.
In Macon-Bibb County, there are only two locations open for early voting:
- Macon-Bibb Board of Elections 2525 Pio Nono Avenue, Macon
- Elaine H. Lucas Senior Center 132 Willie Smokie Glover Drive, Macon
Voting in Macon-Bibb is from May 2- 20, Monday- Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday, May 7 and 14 from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Mike Kaplan is the Chairman of the Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections.
“What would help is we have sample ballots,” he said. “There are things on the ballot besides the races. Each party, they ask questions every year.”
Kaplan says the first day of early voting saw a slow turn out, but he’s expecting it to pick up in the next few days.
Travis Ricks has been early voting since he was 21. He says it’s more important than ever to vote.
“I think it’s very necessary to vote early if you can, because your vote may not get counted,” he said. “Or you might not be able to vote on the actual voting day, because it’s going to be a lot of people.”
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| 2022-05-03T05:16:51Z
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Eurie Martin’s family hosts vigil on 63rd birthday
"My dad he walked a long journey and I think he needs justice for his name."
SANDERSVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)— A lot can happen in five years. For Eurie Martin’s family, a lot hasn’t happened to get justice for his untimely death.
On what would have been his 63rd birthday, his sister and other family members came together Monday afternoon to remember Martin.
“He was a kind person, and would do anything for anybody,” said Barbara Evans.
Eurie was walking from Milledgeville to Sandersville on a hot Summer day in 2017, when he stopped to ask for water. A resident in the area called 911 to report a suspicious person asking for water.
Former Washington County deputies Henry Copeland, Michael Howell, and Rhett Scott responded to that call. They now face multiple charges in the tasing death of Martin.
Eurie’s brother-in-law, Jerry Gilbert Jr., says not having Eurie around for his birthday is difficult. Gilbert says he wants justice for Eurie.
“They didn’t do their job, what they supposed to have done. In that case they should have given him CPR and they didn’t. They just stood around with their arms folded and that was it,” he said.
Eurie’s son says he wasn’t close with his dad, but it’s important for him to advocate for his father until justice is served.
“My dad he walked a long journey and I think he needs justice for his name,” said Joseph Martin.
Leonard Jordan is the Field Lieutenant for the New Order National Human Rights Organization. He’s advocated for Eurie’s family for several years, and continues to fight for them.
“They murdered that man,” he said. “If that wouldn’t have transpired. If they would have let that man go about his business he would have been here today to celebrate his 63rd birthday.”
Following a mistrial in October for the three deputies charged in Martin’s death, the Washington County District Attorney says he referred the case to the State Attorney General’s office in November.
We reached out the State Attorney General’s office. They declined to do an interview with us, but said the case continues to be a top priority and they’re working to find a prosecutor for the case.
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| 2022-05-03T05:16:57Z
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Forsyth hosting second ‘Taco Week’
The Forsyth-Monroe Chamber of Commerce is holding the second annual Taco Week this week.
FORSYTH, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Forsyth-Monroe Chamber of Commerce is holding the second annual Taco Week this week.
The event was started as a way to fight back against the impact of Covid on local businesses.
“So in the evening when you get off of work, you and your family can go out or you can meet your friends, but it’s also a lunch activity you can do with your coworkers,” Forsyth-Monroe Chamber CEO Rebecca Stone said.
Jeremy Seymour, the owner of The Pickled Okra, the defending Taco Week champion, says the restaurant is serving up a buffalo chicken taco this year, complete with fried chicken, lettuce, shredded cheese, bacon, hot sauce and ranch dressing.
“I was just really shocked by it makes you feel good when you can come up with something in a few weeks and everyone enjoys it,” he said. “It really means a lot for people to come in here and eat it and tell you it’s good, even if they say it’s okay, I’m okay with it.”
There are taco week passports at each participating restaurant. You can get a stamp at each one and be entered for a chance to win a prize after receiving four stamps.
Stone says one of the great things about Taco Week is that the proceeds stay local.
The festival runs until Saturday.
You can vote for your favorite taco at the Chamber’s website and also find a list of participating restaurants.
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| 2022-05-03T05:17:03Z
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Heat continues this week along with scattered storms
It was a hot day in Middle Georgia with a few pop up storms that fired up this evening.
Most of the storms are moving out and weakening tonight, but storms will be possible each day.
Tuesday will be another hot and mostly dry day in the area.
Partly cloudy skies are likely for the start of the day, but even with cloud cover we should warm to the upper 80s and low 90s.
A few isolated shower and storms will be possible during the afternoon and evening.
Wednesday will be another hot day, with highs once again reaching 90° for most of Middle Georgia.
By the afternoon and evening a weakening cold front will push south towards our area.
Along this cold front we could see some thunderstorms start to fire up.
A few storms could be strong, but right now widespread severe storms don’t seem likely.
The heat will continue into Thursday and Friday before we see another cold front move into the area.
The Friday cold front will be the one that finally breaks our string of hot days.
Showers and storms will be possible once again Saturday, before we start to clear out on Sunday.
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| 2022-05-03T05:17:09Z
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ICYMI: Stories you may have missed today on 41NBC News
Top stories from May 2, 2022
- Eurie Martin’s family hosts vigil on 63rd birthday
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Naomi Judd’s death offers reminder of need for mental health awareness
- For other stories you may have missed, click here.
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Macon-Bibb Health Department to hold Community Vision Clinic Tuesday
The Macon-Bibb Health Department, along with the Prevent Blindness Association of America, is hosting a vision clinic on Tuesday, May 3.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Macon-Bibb Health Department, along with the Prevent Blindness Association of America, is hosting a vision clinic on Tuesday, May 3.
Dr. Stephen Summerow will be performing eye exams on 20 people who made appointments.
The health department will also hold walk-in retinal scans between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
The clinic will serve those without insurance, as well as those who have insurance but can’t cover the cost of an eye exam.
Macon-Bibb Health Department Administrator, Dr. Jimmie Smith, says he hopes the clinic will clear any obstacles people may have while seeking medical attention.
“We’re trying our best to sort of help folks to bridge the gap and address those shortcomings,” he said. “It’s something that we do today and will continue to do in the future, and certainly work with our community to address those access to care needs.”
Dr. Smith says the leading cause of blindness in the area is untreated diabetes. He suggests you get your eyes checked once every two years.
The clinic will be held at 1600 Forsyth Street in Macon.
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Milledgeville Fire Department to host youth basketball fundraiser
The Milledgeville Fire Department is hoping to combat crime in the area with a fundraiser basketball game.
MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Milledgeville Fire Department is hoping to combat crime in the area with a fundraiser basketball game.
The Fire Department hosts the event each year to collect funds for the youth, but it wasn’t held the last two years because of the pandemic.
The event benefits local youth programs with the goal of steering youth away from a life of crime.
Admission is $5 and the money will go towards taking up to 10 children to fire department events.
Milledgeville Fire Chief William Collier says he’s excited to host the event again.
“The basketball game will ultimately highlight what we do as a fire department as we try to sew into the community, positive character building traits within our youth,” Collier said.
The event is taking place Saturday, May 7 at Baldwin High School’s gym from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission includes free food.
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Naomi Judd’s death offers reminder of need for mental health awareness
Country music star Naomi Judd died on Saturday, one day ahead of the start of May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Country music star Naomi Judd died on Saturday, one day ahead of the start of May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month.
Her daughters released a statement to the Associated Press Saturday saying they lost their mother to “the disease of mental illness.”
We spoke with Macon Mental Health Matters Program Director Andrea Cooke. She says Macon is addressing mental health access head-on but that increasing access to mental health resources across the state is crucial.
She says Judd’s death shows anyone can be affected.
“Naomi Judd had a quintessential life from everyone looking in at her and it still wasn’t enough,” she said. “I think that we need to do more early on to make sure people have unfettered access to mental health services. There should be no barrier.”
Macon Mental Health Matters will host a Mental Health Pop-Up Gym at Frank Johnson Recreation Center on May 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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| 2022-05-03T05:17:33Z
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Report suggests Supreme Court could overturn Roe v. Wade ruling
The news is according to a report published Monday night in Politico. It’s unclear if the draft represents the court’s final word on the matter.
WASHINGTON (AP) – A major Supreme Court ruling that has stood for nearly 50 years may now be reversed.
A draft opinion circulated among Supreme Court justices suggests earlier this year, a majority of them had thrown support behind overturning the 1973 case Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion nationwide.
That’s according to a report published Monday night in Politico. It’s unclear if the draft represents the court’s final word on the matter.
The news outlet published what was labeled as a “1st Draft” of the “Opinion of the Court” in a case challenging Mississippi’s ban on abortion after 15 weeks.
A Supreme Court spokeswoman said the court had no comment.
The Associated Press could not immediately confirm the authenticity of the draft, which if verified, marks a shocking revelation of the high court’s secretive deliberation process.
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| 2022-05-03T05:17:40Z
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CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia’s central bank on Tuesday lifted its benchmark interest rate for the first time in more than 11 years. The cash rate rose from 0.1% to 0.35% in a move potentially damaging to a government that will seek reelection on May 21.
A rise was widely expected after official data released last week showed that Australia’s inflation rose to 5.1% in the year through March. It is the highest annual rate since 2001, when a newly introduced 10% federal consumption tax created a temporary spike.
Inflation in the latest March quarter was sharply higher than the 3.5% three months earlier. The March result was driven by a surge in fuel and housing costs as well as food shortages created by recent Australian floods.
The Reserve Bank of Australia adjusts interest rates to keep inflation within a 2%-3% target band. The bank’s Governor Philip Lowe said inflation had increased more than had been expected but remained lower than in most advanced economies.
“The economy has proven to be resilient and inflation has picked up more quickly, and to a higher level, than was expected,” Lowe said.
“There is also evidence that wages growth is picking up. Given this, and the very low level of interest rates, it is appropriate to start the process of normalizing monetary conditions,” Lowe added.
The cash rate had been at a record-low 0.1% since November 2020.
In November, Lowe said the rate could remain that low until 2024, despite pandemic-induced inflation.
The bank last increased interest rates in November 2010. The cash rate then rose a quarter of a percentage point to 4.75%.
It is the first time that the bank, whose independence of government was enshrined in legislation in 1996, has shifted interest rates during a federal election campaign since 2007.
Two weeks after the benchmark rate rose by a quarter of a percentage point to 6.75% in November 2007, Prime Minister John Howard’s conservative government was voted out of office after more than 11 years in power. Howard apologized for the rise and said he had sympathy for mortgage holders.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s conservative government is seeking a rare fourth three-year term at elections on May 21.
Morrison rejected a journalist’s suggestion that the rate hike would cost his government the election.
He said his government had already helped Australians cope with rising costs in March by temporarily halving the tax on gasoline at a cost of 3 billion Australian dollars ($2.1 billion). The government had also provided millions of low- and middle-income earners with tax offsets and so-called Cost of Living Payments at a cost of AU$8 billion ($5.7 billion).
“I sympathize with Australians as they face high cost of living pressures. I sympathize with Australians when they face higher repayments on their home,” Morrison said.
“When you look around the world, there are few places that people would rather be than right here in Australia and the reason for that is the way that we’ve steered this country through one of our most difficult times,” Morrison added.
The prices of residential properties in Australia surged by 24% last year, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The souring cost of housing has made Australians one of the most indebted populations in the world and ill-prepared for a rise in the cost of money.
Opposition treasury spokesperson Jim Chalmers described the rate hike as a “full-blown cost of living crisis on Scott Morrison’s watch.”
“Scott Morrison’s economic credibility was already tattered and now it is completely shredded,” Chalmers said.
The S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.3% to 7,328.80 on Tuesday.
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Another hot afternoon with isolated storms awaits Middle Georgia
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Most of Middle Georgia will see highs of at least 90 degrees this afternoon.
Today
The heat continues for the Peach State, especially the middle and southern thirds. Highs later this afternoon will clock in at 90 degrees or greater for almost the entire region. Southwesterly winds at 5-10 mph will continue to feed moisture into the atmosphere as well, keeping things sticky outside. Scattered clouds will develop in the afternoon as the sun heats the surface, prompting moisture to rise up and cool down. Eventually, a couple of those may turn into isolated storms during the late afternoon hours. These storms are short lived, but they can bring some heavy downpours and sometimes even some really small hail. No severe weather is expected, however.
All rain activity will cease shortly after the sun sets. Scattered clouds will hang around overnight with cloud cover thickening a bit heading towards Wednesday morning. The wind will come from the south-southwest at 5-10 mph as temperatures bottom out in the low to mid 60s once again.
Tomorrow
The summer pattern will continue tomorrow as we see the same thing we saw today. Plenty of sun early with scattered cloud development in the afternoon. The wind will come from the west-southwest at 10-15 mph, adding a bit of a breeze to the air. It will be welcomed by most in Middle Georgia as highs reach the lower 90s virtually everywhere in the region. More isolated storms will also fire up during the heat of the day.
Partly cloudy skies will persist through the overnight hours as the winds calm, becoming light and variable for the rest of the night. Low temperatures will primarily be in the mid to upper 60s heading into Thursday.
Thursday and Beyond
Thursday will be the final day on the current pattern as well as the hottest day of the week. Some spots could push into the mid 90s for highs on Thursday as the southwesterly winds continue to come in at 5-10 mph. Once again, isolated storms will likely fire up in the afternoon among partly cloudy skies. Overnight lows will reach their peak, only dropping into the upper 60s and lower 70s thanks to thick clouds that move in.
Friday will see the end to the current pattern as high pressure finally breaks down enough for a cold front to make its way through. It will bring the most widespread rain chance of the week as well as the strongest winds. Forecast winds on Friday are currently set to fall somewhere in the 10-20 mph range from the west or west-southwest. Highs will be in the upper 80s and lower 90s, a welcome sight after 3-4 straight days in the 90s. Storms will come through in the late afternoon/evening, and unfortunately there could end up being a slim chance for some severe weather. The front, however, will be weak, so nothing crazy should happen as the front comes through. Lows will return to the lower 60s following the cold fronts passing.
Mother’s Day weekend will be cooler: both days should see highs in the low or mid 80s with plenty of sun, and with wind coming in from the northeast on Sunday the breezes will keep things pleasant. Rain is also not expected for Mother’s Day, however the Euro model does see some widespread rain potential for Saturday May 7th. At this time no other models have hopped on board with this.
Follow Meteorologist Aaron Lowery on Facebook (Aaron Lowery 41NBC) and Twitter (@ALowWX) for weather updates throughout the day. Also, you can watch his forecasts Monday through Friday on 41NBC News at Daybreak (6-7 a.m.) and 41Today (11 a.m).
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| 2022-05-03T16:49:46Z
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CVS on Gray Hwy robbed at gunpoint
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a commercial armed robbery that took place just after 2:00 a.m. Tuesday at the CVS, located at 1271 Gray Highway.
It was reported that a male subject, wearing all black with a mask on, entered the store. He pulled out a gun and demanded money from the clerk. After getting an undisclosed amount of money he fled the store fled on foot. No one was injured during this incident.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500, or Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.
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Morning Business Report: Home affordability at nearly the worst on record
Home affordability at nearly the worst on record. The average rate on 30-year fixed started this year at 3.29% and hit 5.55% on Monday.
The labor market is predicted to fully recapture all jobs lost during the pandemic by August.
Crocs has teamed up with General Mills for cereal shoes. Right now only Crocs Cinnamon Toast Crunch is available, the rest coming in July.
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TECH BYTE: Market Wagon
(41NBC/WMGT) — Having your food delivered doesn’t mean it has to be unhealthy. One smartphone app is bringing your local farmers market straight to your door, let’s see how it not only benefits users, but the community as a whole.
Meet Market Wagon! The smartphone app serves more than 30 cities across the country – delivering food and goods from local farmers markets straight to customers. Market Wagon CEO Nick Carter is a fourth-generation farmer, and says the pandemic really took a toll on them. “Farmers markets were shut down, restaurants were shut down and it’s the small, local farmers who were really hit hard. So we saw that there was a massive opportunity and a big need that we could fill.” said Carter.
Third-generation farmer Samuel Carlton with RC Farms says the app has really expanded their outreach. He sells beef, chicken, vegetables, and more. “Farming on the smaller scale — it’s real tough. But through Market Wagon, they offer us to be able to reach more customers that we wouldn’t ordinarily be able to reach.” said Carlton.
Carter says Market Wagon not only benefits customers, but it helps local farmers make more money by selling directly to them.
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Illinois 'will fight like hell' against overturning of Roe v. Wade decision, Pritzker says
CHICAGO - Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois lawmakers called Tuesday a dark day, in reaction to the leaked Supreme Court document published by Politico. Even if that document is not final, lawmakers said this is an emergency.
Pritzker was surrounded by leaders from all over the state, gathering for a news conference in the Thompson Center.
They said they will work to keep abortion legal in Illinois, now that it appears the Supreme Court is ready to overturn Roe v. Wade, the decision that legalized abortion nearly 50 years ago.
Pritzker said Illinois will be an island, surrounded by anti-choice states, unless voters act to elect pro-choice candidates.
"Illinois is a beacon of hope in increasingly dark world, we will fight like hell not just for the women of Illinois but for every person in our state and every person across this nation who believes, not in limiting civil rights and human rights but in expanding them. That is freedom," Pritzker said.
Illinois State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, of Chicago’s North Side, said she felt targeted by the news.
"I feel like my life and my family’s life is teetering at the top of a Jenga tower that we are watching crash in real time: My marriage, my children's relationship with their other mother, my right to bodily autonomy," Cassidy said.
Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said Black women would be disproportionately affected.
"I think about Black women who would literally die," Stratton said. "Structural racism and misogyny have already claimed far too many lives in our community with Black women's maternal mortality rate already two to three times higher than that of white women."
The lawmakers at Tuesday's news conference predicted that rights for women, minorities, immigrants, and transgender people will all be vulnerable.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot echoed Pritzker's sentiments Tuesday.
"For as long as I am mayor and I think this city remains a bastion of inclusivity and equity, we are not going to turn our back the clock," Lightfoot said. "No matter what the Supreme Court says, no matter what other states do."
Advertisement
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Continuing its push to dramatically boost sales of electric vehicles, the Biden administration on Monday announced $3.1 billion in funding to U.S. companies that make and recycle lithium-ion batteries.
The investments from last year’s $1 trillion infrastructure law are separate from an executive order President Joe Biden issued this spring, invoking the Defense Production Act boost production of lithium and other critical minerals used to power electric vehicles.
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said the new program will offer grants to companies that process or recycle battery components to increase domestic supplies of a market now dominated by China and other countries. The grants will help strengthen U.S. energy independence and support Biden’s goal to have electric vehicles make up half of all vehicles sales in America by 2030, she said.
Electric vehicles accounted for 4.2% of U.S. new vehicle sales in the first quarter of this year, according to Edmunds.com.
“Positioning the United States front and center in meeting the growing demand for advanced batteries is how we boost our competitiveness and electrify our transportation system,” Granholm said in a statement.
Granholm, a former Michigan governor, announced the battery initiative during a visit to her home state to highlight clean-energy provisions in the bipartisan infrastructure law Biden signed in November.
The grant program “will give our domestic supply chain the jolt it needs to become more secure and less reliant on other nations,” while creating good-paying jobs and reducing planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, she said.
“We need a lot of batteries. And we want American workers making those batteries right here in America,” added Gina McCarthy, Biden’s climate adviser, at a separate briefing Monday at the White House.
The $3 billion will be allocated as grants to as many as 30 companies, officials said, and represents nearly half of $7 billion approved under the infrastructure law to improve the domestic battery supply chain.
Companies will be required to match grants on a 50-50 basis, with a minimum $50 million investment, the Energy Department said. The money will go to companies that can create new, retrofitted or expanded processing facilities as well as battery recycling programs, the department said.
The focus on battery processing and recycling is part of a broader effort by Biden to shift the country away from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles and combat climate change.
A March 31 executive order intended to increase mining of lithium and other critical minerals does not waive or suspend existing environmental and labor standards, the White House said. Nor does it address the chief hurdle to increased domestic mining: the years-long process needed to obtain a federal permit for a new mine.
Even so, the mining industry and supporters in Congress cheered Biden’s use of the Defense Production Act.
Rich Nolan, president and CEO of the National Mining Association, called it a historic step by the White House to “recognize the critical importance of minerals and push to electrify the car industry.″
But unless the administration also moves to speed approvals of new hardrock mines, “we risk feeding the minerals dominance of geopolitical rivals″ such as China and Russia, Nolan said.
As of March 31, more than 2.5 million plug-in electric vehicles have been sold in America, with more than 800,000 of those having been sold since Biden took office, the Energy Department said. Battery costs have fallen more than 90% since 2008, while performance has increased.
“The future of mobility is electric,” said Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., who appeared with Granholm at an event in Lansing, Mich. The energy grants “could help to ensure Michigan remains on the forefront of innovation by shoring up our supply chains for advanced battery technologies necessary to deploy the next all-electric fleet,” he said.
U.S. automakers applauded the grant program.
“Ensuring a steady and reliable supply of locally-made EV batteries, battery components and processed minerals will be vital as Ford leads the electric vehicle revolution,” said Steven Croley, chief policy officer at Ford Motor Co.
“The United States is finally getting into the global battery race and broader race for the future,” said Abigail Wulf, vice president of critical minerals strategy at SAFE, a nonpartisan group that advocates U.S. energy and transportation security.
“It’s now up to DOE to get the money out the door to projects that will make us stronger in the short- and long-term,” she said, and “help make sure the United States isn’t just playing catch-up, but leading.”
___
Associated Press writer Tom Krisher in Detroit contributed to this story.
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| 2022-05-03T19:01:36Z
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Funeral services will be this week for a man and a child who died in an Opelousas shooting last month.
Alton James Thomas, 46, and Rakatelyn Janae Colla, 4, died in the shooting. Three other children were wounded. To see our story on the shooting, click here.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Williams Funeral Home in Opelousas for Thomas. He is survived by his mother, five children, six grandchildren and other relatives. The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 8 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home. To read his full obituary, click here.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Opelousas for Colla. She is survived by her parents, siblings, grandparents, and other relatives. The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 10 a.m. until time of service at the church. To read her full obituary, click here.
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| 2022-05-03T19:21:05Z
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Aaron Yoder laces up his Nike running shoes on a windy but warm day in the middle of rural Kansas.
They are dusty from running on the endless dirt roads the countryside provides, but they have flashes of orange that piece through the light brown film. It is the perfect shoe to match his personality as he starts jogging and laughs as we follow in a car next to him.
“Now the competitive side comes out, and I’m like, ‘I’m gonna race this damn thing!'" he says with a smile that flashes across his face.
Yoder jogs nearly every day each week. If it is not with the track team he coaches at Bethany College in Lindsborg, it is by himself with his thoughts.
“This is just something I like to use as an outlet, and it’s my way of training,” he says as he kicks more dust onto the top of his shoes.
I say the top because Yoder does not run as you would expect. There is no seeing how far he has yet to go, only how far he has come.
“When I go and run outside of Lindsborg, I definitely get some looks,” he says, chuckling. “Here in Lindsborg, I would probably only get looks if I ran forward because everyone knows.”
Yoder is the world’s fastest backward runner. Where most of us might use significant strides to leap our way forwards, Yoder uses smaller strides that push him miles each day.
“I’ve probably had every injury you could imagine to a certain point where it was like I pretty much rode the donkey till it dies,” he said. “I just couldn’t run anymore, and I was like, ‘well, I have another opportunity here.’”
Yoder first discovered considered backward running as a primary form of exercise nearly 10 years ago after a doctor’s visit for a torn meniscus revealed severe arthritis in his knees.
Yoder's stubborn determination wanted to keep him going through the pain, but the doctor he saw said he would have to stop unless he wanted a knee replacement by the age of 30.
“It literally feels like I’m flying because you don’t really see your legs. They’re kind of behind you, so you almost feel like you’re a floating torso,” Yoder said laughing.
The thing is, Aaron’s form of exercise, retro-running, is a thing.
There are world championships where backward runners from around the globe compete in the same track events traditional runners do.
There is also a petition to include retro-running in the Olympics.
“Have I ever told a patient they’ve had to run backward, specifically? No,” said Valerie Wilkins, a physical therapist at Sky Ridge Medical Center in Colorado. “But that doesn’t mean there aren’t benefits.”
Studies have dived into the world of retro-running and found there are, as Wilkins says, benefits that potentially outweigh the benefits of traditional running.
The National Institutes of Health published a study that found that running at 80% effort backward produces the same amount of strain on the body as running with 100% effort forwards.
The University of Oregon also published research that shows retro-running can have these potential benefits:
- Facilitate balance
- Develop a strong foundation upon which to improve performance
- Facilitate greater neuro-muscular function
- Prevent injuries
“Theoretically, when you run forwards, every time that you land, you’re kind of doing a mini-squat, so you have to absorb the shock through the knee,” said Wilkins. “When you run backward, you use different joint mechanics, so you have reduced range of motion, so there’s less pressure and impact on the front of the knee.”
For Yoder, specifically, recognition is the other benefit that no one else can claim. He has retro-running records recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for the mile (5 minutes, 54.25 seconds), 1000 meter, and 4x400-meter relay.
But even those do not keep pace with the mental benefits he has received. Shortly before his knee diagnosis in 2012, Yoder lost his grandmother, a close friend, and was going through a break-up, all while the track program at Bethany College was in jeopardy.
“There’s a tendency, especially as Americans, to be forward-thinking and goal-oriented, and that’s good, but by running backward, it allowed me- and especially in that time- to not look at how far I have to go because it’s going to be insurmountable,” said Yoder. “Instead, I simply looked at how far I’ve come. What I had on my plate at that time, I’m like I cannot do this, but then running backward, it started changing; just do what you can today.”
When Yoder runs outside of Lindsborg, people may laugh, scoff, and think what he is doing is all silly, but to Yoder, it took him going backward to move forward.
“It means the world to me,” he said. “I’m blessed to have an opportunity and legs and a body to do that even if it’s backward.”
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| 2022-05-03T22:22:30Z
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Postpartum Blues May Be Sign of D.O.: Experts Advise Celebst to Seek Clinician Review\nEvan Fusario February 5rd in: Depressed or Euposphrn (eu+) : : I’am also E+: And so my comment : It’is what is most likely. In this I agree (s) But let a lot of other details not forget ! Like : You also mentioned before some of her childre Aaron Yoder laces up his Nike running shoes on a windy but warm day in the middle of rural Kansas.
They are dusty from running on the endless dirt roads the countryside provides, but they have flashes of orange that piece through the light brown film. It is the perfect shoe to match his personality as he starts jogging and laughs as we follow in a car next to him.
“Now the competitive side comes out, and I’m like, ‘I’m gonna race this damn thing!'" he says with a smile that flashes across his face.
Yoder jogs nearly every day each week. If it is not with the track team he coaches at Bethany College in Lindsborg, it is by himself with his thoughts.
“This is just something I like to use as an outlet, and it’s my way of training,” he says as he kicks more dust onto the top of his shoes.
I say the top because Yoder does not run as you would expect. There is no seeing how far he has yet to go, only how far he has come.
“When I go and run outside of Lindsborg, I definitely get some looks,” he says, chuckling. “Here in Lindsborg, I would probably only get looks if I ran forward because everyone knows.”
Yoder is the world’s fastest backward runner. Where most of us might use significant strides to leap our way forwards, Yoder uses smaller strides that push him miles each day.
“I’ve probably had every injury you could imagine to a certain point where it was like I pretty much rode the donkey till it dies,” he said. “I just couldn’t run anymore, and I was like, ‘well, I have another opportunity here.’”
Yoder first discovered considered backward running as a primary form of exercise nearly 10 years ago after a doctor’s visit for a torn meniscus revealed severe arthritis in his knees.
Yoder's stubborn determination wanted to keep him going through the pain, but the doctor he saw said he would have to stop unless he wanted a knee replacement by the age of 30.
“It literally feels like I’m flying because you don’t really see your legs. They’re kind of behind you, so you almost feel like you’re a floating torso,” Yoder said laughing.
The thing is, Aaron’s form of exercise, retro-running, is a thing.
There are world championships where backward runners from around the globe compete in the same track events traditional runners do.
There is also a petition to include retro-running in the Olympics.
“Have I ever told a patient they’ve had to run backward, specifically? No,” said Valerie Wilkins, a physical therapist at Sky Ridge Medical Center in Colorado. “But that doesn’t mean there aren’t benefits.”
Studies have dived into the world of retro-running and found there are, as Wilkins says, benefits that potentially outweigh the benefits of traditional running.
The National Institutes of Health published a study that found that running at 80% effort backward produces the same amount of strain on the body as running with 100% effort forwards.
The University of Oregon also published research that shows retro-running can have these potential benefits:
- Facilitate balance
- Develop a strong foundation upon which to improve performance
- Facilitate greater neuro-muscular function
- Prevent injuries
“Theoretically, when you run forwards, every time that you land, you’re kind of doing a mini-squat, so you have to absorb the shock through the knee,” said Wilkins. “When you run backward, you use different joint mechanics, so you have reduced range of motion, so there’s less pressure and impact on the front of the knee.”
For Yoder, specifically, recognition is the other benefit that no one else can claim. He has retro-running records recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for the mile (5 minutes, 54.25 seconds), 1000 meter, and 4x400-meter relay.
But even those do not keep pace with the mental benefits he has received. Shortly before his knee diagnosis in 2012, Yoder lost his grandmother, a close friend, and was going through a break-up, all while the track program at Bethany College was in jeopardy.
“There’s a tendency, especially as Americans, to be forward-thinking and goal-oriented, and that’s good, but by running backward, it allowed me- and especially in that time- to not look at how far I have to go because it’s going to be insurmountable,” said Yoder. “Instead, I simply looked at how far I’ve come. What I had on my plate at that time, I’m like I cannot do this, but then running backward, it started changing; just do what you can today.”
When Yoder runs outside of Lindsborg, people may laugh, scoff, and think what he is doing is all silly, but to Yoder, it took him going backward to move forward.
“It means the world to me,” he said. “I’m blessed to have an opportunity and legs and a body to do that even if it’s backward.”
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https://www.fox17online.com/news/national/for-the-worlds-fastest-retro-runner-it-took-going-backwards-to-move-forward
| 2022-05-03T22:24:45Z
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Biden blasts ‘radical’ Roe draft, warns other rights at risk
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is blasting what he calls a “radical” leaked draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court is poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide.
On Tuesday, Biden warned that a “whole range of rights” are in jeopardy if it holds. The court cautioned that the draft was not final, and Chief Justice John Roberts said he had ordered an investigation into what he called an “egregious breach of trust.”
Biden said he would work with Congress to legislate the right to abortion into federal law. But such efforts have failed in the past.
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| 2022-05-04T02:20:45Z
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Change trains: Mexico favors N. Mexico over Texas
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The Mexican government is snubbing Texas and moving a proposed border rail link to New Mexico, after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott backed up border crossings with state truck inspections in April.
Mexican diplomats met Tuesday with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and touted a rail line linking Mexican seaports on the Pacific with the San Jeronimo-Santa Teresa crossing in New Mexico.
Mexican officials had considered a route through Texas, but in recent days they’ve said they can no longer rely on the state.
Abbott had required all commercial trucks from Mexico to undergo extra inspections, tying up traffic and causing millions in losses.
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| 2022-05-04T02:20:47Z
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Georgia Republicans spar over Trump’s false election claims
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Republicans vying for the state’s top elections post sparred Monday over former President Donald Trump’s false claim that widespread fraud cost him the 2020 election.
At a debate in Atlanta, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger accused his main rival, U.S. Rep. Jody Hice, of lying and spreading misinformation about the presidential contest in the state.
Joe Biden narrowly won Georgia’s electoral votes, but Hice maintains without evidence and despite multiple reviews that an accurate count would show a Trump victory.
Hice said Monday that Raffensperger did not adequately investigate the election results and was acting like a Democrat with his attacks.
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| 2022-05-04T02:20:49Z
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Georgia Secretary of State says people came out in record numbers on first day of early voting
Early voting started Monday, and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger says people came out in record numbers on the first day.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Early voting started Monday, and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger says people came out in record numbers on the first day.
Nearly 30,000 Georgians cast their ballots in-person on the first day of early voting. That’s about three times the amount of people that turned out to vote on the first day of early voting in 2018.
Raffensperger says most counties had no issues on the first day. He shared that Monday’s numbers prove Georgians want to return to in-person voting.
“It’s never been easier to vote,” he said. ‘And we just want to make sure we have the appropriate guardrails so it’s very difficult to cheat, but we have in-person voting with photo I.D., and now we have photo I.D. for all forms of voting.”
You should double check with your county for info on the days and times early voting will be offered. Early voting ends on May 20. Election Day is May 24.
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| 2022-05-04T02:20:50Z
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Georgia sets $1.5B in aid for electric vehicle maker Rivian
ATLANTA (AP) — The state of Georgia and local governments will give Rivian Automotive $1.5 billion of incentives to build a 7,500-job, $5 billion electric vehicle plant.
That’s according to documents the company and state signed Monday.
That’s by far the largest incentive package Georgia has ever offered to a company.
Georgia Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson says the size of the package is “appropriate” for the largest single industrial announcement in Georgia history.
Rivian hopes to break ground as early as this summer and begin production in Georgia in 2024.
The plant has been beset by opposition from residents east of Atlanta who say Rivian will spoil their rural quality of life.
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| 2022-05-04T02:20:56Z
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Georgia’s Brian Kemp raises $2.7M for reelection bid
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp says his main campaign committee raised $2.7 million in the period that ended April 30.
That gives the incumbent $10.7 million in cash as the May 24 Republican primary approaches.
The $10.7 million in cash on hand is down from $12.7 million as of Jan. 31.
The decrease reflects Kemp’s heavy spending as he tries to fend off a Republican primary challenge from former U.S. Sen. David Perdue and others.
None of Kemp’s Republican primary rivals have yet filed reports or announced totals.
The totals don’t include Kemp’s leadership committee.
A federal judge halted fundraising for that committee, which was allowed to accept unlimited donations.
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| 2022-05-04T02:21:05Z
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Herschel Walker makes campaign stop in Milledgeville
Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Herschel Walker made a stop in Milledgeville on Tuesday.
MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Herschel Walker made a stop in Milledgeville on Tuesday.
Walker was born and raised in Wrightsville, about 45 miles from Milledgeville.
We spoke with Walker about why he decided to run. He says there are several things he disagrees with and that he wants to help make a change.
If elected, Walker says he wants to implement his four-point plan, which starts with ensuring communities are safe again.
We also asked him about the possible overturning of Roe v. Wade. He says the bigger issue is the leaking of the court’s opinion.
“That’s one of the things we got to get down to,” he said. “Give people those freedoms of speech, but at the same time, when you start messing with the Supreme Court like they’re doing right now, that’s very dangerous, and I think that’s one of the major things we have to do is find out who leaked this, because our judge was not even finished with this yet.”
Walker also touched on getting behind law enforcement and supporting them in order to have a safer community.
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| 2022-05-04T02:21:11Z
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Herschel Walker, other candidates test skipping debates
ATLANTA (AP) — Football great Herschel Walker has gone to great lengths to dodge tough questions during his run for the U.S. Senate in Georgia.
The GOP candidate does not widely publicize his campaign stops and limits his appearances mostly to conservative news outlets and friendly audiences.
Walker recently skipped the first debate for the May 24 Republican primary and is expected to miss another debate Tuesday.
Political experts say it may be a wise choice for the gaffe-prone GOP front-runner.
But Walker’s Republican rivals have seized on his absence to raise doubts about his fitness to take on Democrat Raphael Warnock in November should he win the Republican primary.
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| 2022-05-04T02:21:17Z
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Houston County Schools getting head start in recruiting teachers
Like many school districts, the Houston County School District has a shortage of teachers, and it's hoping to fill those spots with former students.
PERRY, Georgia(41NBC/WMGT) — Like many school districts, the Houston County School District has a shortage of teachers.
Leaders are hoping to fill those positions with former students.
The Houston County School District held a Future Educator Signing day on Tuesday.
18 high school students took part. The goal is to celebrate the students going off to college. The expectation is that they’ll return to teach in the school district.
One of those students is Ashley Cruz, a senior at Northside High school.
Her goal is to become an teacher at her former school, Russell Elementary.
“A teacher inspires,” she said. “A teacher pushes their students, and a great teacher just continues to build those relationships, so that not only inside of the classroom do they feel like at home, but also outside of that environment.”
Cruz found her love for teaching at a young age. As she prepares to get a degree in education, she wants to give back to her community through personal experience.
“I do see a lot of need for Hispanic teachers to be able to talk to parents and be able to help those students, because I know as a young person I struggled a lot with that language barrier,” she said.
The students who were celebrated went through two years of a teaching career pathway, which taught them about education and what being a teacher is like in year one and year two.
Erin Morton, the Teaching as a Profession teacher at the Houston County Career Academy, says immersing high school students gives them an understanding of teaching before going to college.
“We’re in a hard time because teachers are leaving the profession,” she said. “A lot of them are unsure if this is really for them. What I have discovered is this is all these students know. They’re going through this program the way that education is right now.”
School leaders say this is the biggest class they’ve had so far.
If you wish to apply to a position within the Houston County School District, you can apply here.
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| 2022-05-04T02:21:23Z
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ICYMI: Stories you may have missed today on 41NBC News Top stories from May 3, 2022 May 3, 2022 Clayton Poulnott, Warner Robins Police Department investigating after teen shot in the face Houston County Schools getting head start in recruiting teachers Herschel Walker makes campaign stop in Milledgeville For other stories you may have missed, click here. FacebookPinterestTwitterLinkedin
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| 2022-05-04T02:21:29Z
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LinkedIn settles with U.S. over alleged pay discrimination
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The career-networking service LinkedIn has agreed to pay $1.8 million in back wages to hundreds of female workers to settle a pay discrimination complaint brought by U.S. labor investigators.
The U.S. Labor Department announced Tuesday that it has reached a settlement agreement with LinkedIn to resolve allegations of “systemic, gender-based pay discrimination” in which women were paid less than men in comparable job roles.
The settlement affects nearly 700 women who worked in engineering, product or marketing roles from 2015 to 2017 at the company’s offices in San Francisco and Sunnyvale, California. LinkedIn, now owned by Microsoft, has denied the pay disparities.
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| 2022-05-04T02:21:35Z
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Man convicted in $60M film finance fraud scheme
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — An Oklahoma man claiming to be a film financier has been convicted in South Florida of participating in a scheme to steal more than $60 million from investors and producers seeking financing for movies and Broadway shows.
Court records show a federal jury in Fort Lauderdale found Jason Van Eman guilty Tuesday of conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering. His sentencing is scheduled for July 21.
Prosecutors say Van Eman and a co-defendant offered to help investors and producers fund motion pictures, theater performances and other projects but instead stole the victims’ money.
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| 2022-05-04T02:21:41Z
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Middle Georgia professor, lawmaker react to leaked Supreme Court document
The unprecedented leak of a draft to strike down federal protections of abortion rights by the Supreme Court is on the forefront on many people's minds.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT )— The unprecedented leak of a draft to strike down federal protections of abortion rights by the Supreme Court is on the forefront on many people’s minds.
Dr. John Hall, a political science professor with Middle Georgia State University, says while there can be changes from the first draft to the final opinion, he doesn’t expect many changes from the leaked document.
“It says very clearly in this draft that the court’s opinion would be to overturn or to overrule Roe V. Wade and Casey,” he said. “Something of that magnitude I would not expect to change.”
Ann Beall is the Executive Director of the Kolbe Center, which helps pregnant women in crisis. She believes overturning Roe V. Wade and returning abortion rights to the states is the right thing to do.
“It would limit abortion significantly in the state of Georgia,” she said. “Which would mean women who haven’t traditionally sought our services because they chose to terminate their pregnancies will need support and assistance in ways that we really haven’t seen before.”
Minority Leader for the Georgia House of Representatives, James Beverly, says he was disappointed when he saw the leaked document. Beverly says if Stacey Abrams is elected Governor in November, it could change how abortion rights look in Georgia.
“If she’s the governor, we’ll have a different Georgia, no doubt,” he said. “Because then I think that reproductive freedom and reproductive health will go hand-in-hand with her administration.”
Dr. Hall says if the Supreme Court overturns Roe V. Wade, it will be one of the most important decisions the court makes in recent times.
“If this is the opinion, I would think that this is our new reality,” he said. “That state governments are in charge of abortion rights and the federal court will have effectively removed itself from that equation.”
The Supreme Court press office says the document is authentic but that it does not represent a decision by the court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case.
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| 2022-05-04T02:21:47Z
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Monroe County Sheriff’s Office looking for man, woman in BP robbery
After they walked into the store, the man grabbed a money bag from the cashier area and put it under his shirt while the cashier was helping another customer.
FORSYTH, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — On Tuesday afternoon, Monroe County deputies were dispatched to the BP on Rumble road in reference to a theft.
Investigators say camera footage from the gas station shows an elderly black male and female get out of a white or silver Toyota Corolla.
After they walked into the store, the man grabbed a money bag from the cashier area and put it under his shirt while the cashier was helping another customer. He then walked out of the store gas station and got back into the car he was driving.
The woman left the store shortly after, got in the same car, and they drove onto Interstate 75 North.
The vehicle has several identifying marks. It has damage to the front passenger side quarter panel area, and is missing a hubcap on the front passenger side and the rear driver side.
If you can identify the suspects or have any information about the theft, call Investigator Mark Holloway with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at 478-994-7043 ext. 231.
You can also email him at mholloway@monroecosheriffga.us.
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| 2022-05-04T02:21:53Z
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Ocmulgee National and Historical Park honoring Native American history
John Brown and Pedro Zepeda will build a 13-foot canoe for the Ocmulgee National and Historical Park Visitors Center.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – John Brown and Pedro Zepeda will build a 13-foot canoe for the Ocmulgee National and Historical Park Visitors Center.
Brown, who is part of the Muscogee Nation, says that before the removal of the Muscogee Nation from the park, canoe making was a vital and sacred art to the tribe.
After being moved to Oklahoma, the need to build canoes was no longer needed.
“There’s a lot of things,” he said. “Our language, we’re losing words. Our traditions are slowly going away, and this is just one way to keep part of that still alive.”
Brown and Zepeda are using a mix of traditional and modern tools to build the canoe.
Zepeda, a member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, says that even though he and Brown come from different tribes, they have a bond that feels like they’re from the same family.
Once Brown and Zepeda finish this canoe for the visitors center, they plan to come back in June to build their own canoes.
Brown said he’s happy with the effort the younger generation is putting in to preserve their history.
“A lot of our youth are getting involved in our ceremonial songs,” he said. “They’re learning our language. All of the things the United States Government would hope would go away, we held on to them, and we’re still here today.”
Brown said when he returns, he wants to be the first Muscogee Nation member in 200 years to ride down the Ocmulgee River in a traditional canoe.
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| 2022-05-04T02:22:00Z
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Pope offers to meet Putin, still waiting to hear back
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has told an Italian newspaper that he has offered to travel to Moscow to meet with President Vladimir Putin to try to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, and suggested the invasion might have been provoked by NATO’s eastward expansion.
Francis said he made the offer about three weeks into Russia’s invasion, but that he still hadn’t received a response from Moscow.
Francis was quoted Tuesday by Corriere della Sera as saying his offer to go to Moscow was made through the Vatican’s No. 2, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
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| 2022-05-04T02:22:06Z
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Ray Charles, The Judds join the Country Music Hall of Fame
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Ray Charles and The Judds joined the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday, just a day after Naomi Judd died unexpectedly.
The music played on at the all-star ceremony, featuring music from Garth Brooks, Vince Gill and Trisha Yearwood.
Naomi’s daughters, Wynonna and Ashley Judd, accepted the honor amid tears, holding onto each other and reciting Psalm 23 from the Bible together.
Wynonna Judd said that despite her heart being broken, she “will continue to sing.”
The posthumous induction of Charles showcased his genre-defying skill as a singer who exposed the genre to new audiences.
The Hall of Fame also inducted two studio musicians, Eddie Bayers and Pete Drake.
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| 2022-05-04T02:22:12Z
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Staying hot with scattered storms Wednesday
It was a hot day in Middle Georgia, with Macon finally hitting the 90° mark this afternoon for the first time in 2022.
We will be seeing a chance for a few showers overnight in the area, but expect partly cloudy skies through the morning.
Highs will be warming to the low 90s once again across the area by Wednesday afternoon.
A weakening cold front will be pushing to the south towards Middle Georgia and could spark some storms.
Widespread severe storms are not likely, but we could see a few isolated strong storms.
Thursday will be another hot day with a chance for some isolated showers by the afternoon, but it should be our last day of widespread 90s.
Another cold front will approach the area Friday, bringing an end to our hot and humid days.
Storms will be possible, mainly during the afternoon, with a few possibly being severe.
Thunderstorms will be possible through Saturday evening, but at least they should help to keep our highs a bit cooler.
By Mother’s Day on Sunday, we will finally see dry weather across the area, with plenty of sunshine expected.
Highs for the start of next week will be around normal for this time of year, mainly in the mid 80s.
Dry weather looks to be the trend for much of next week.
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| 2022-05-04T02:22:18Z
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Trump election probe special grand jury selected in Atlanta
ATLANTA (AP) — A special grand jury has been selected for the investigation into whether former President Donald Trump and others tried illegally to influence the 2020 election in Georgia.
The investigation has been underway since early last year, and to help it along, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis requested a special grand jury with subpoena power to obtain testimony from people who’ve refused to cooperate otherwise.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney said “now it’s time for 26 members of our community to participate” in the investigation.
The special grand jury will be seated for up to a year beginning Monday.
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| 2022-05-04T02:22:24Z
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Warner Robins Police Department investigating after teen shot in the face
Officers say they responded to the 200 block of Terry Kay Circle in reference to an Aggravated Assault.
WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Warner Robins Police Department is investigating after a teenager was shot in the face Tuesday afternoon.
Officers say they responded to the 200 block of Terry Kay Circle in reference to an Aggravated Assault.
That’s where they found the 17-year-old male.
He was taken to the hospital for treatment, and told police he was shot by a man.
That is all the information provided at this time.
Stay with 41nbc for updates as they become available.
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| 2022-05-04T02:22:30Z
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SIOUX CITY, IOWA (KCAU) –
IOWA GIRLS SCORES
Bishop Heelan – 4, Sioux City West – 0
Sioux City North – 8, Sergeant Bluff-Luton – 0
Council Bluffs Jefferson – 1, Sioux City East – 0
Harlan – 3, Denison-Schleswig – 2
Council Bluffs Lincoln – 11, LeMars – 1
IOWA BOYS SCORES
Sioux City East – 7, Council Bluffs Jefferson – 0
Bishop Heelan – 3, Sioux City West – 2
Western Christian – 4, Storm Lake – 0
Council Bluffs Lincoln – 7, LeMars – 1
NEBRASKA GIRLS SCORES
Columbus Scotus – 7, Lutheran High Northeast/Norfolk Catholic – 0
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APC South-West leaders to meet Tinubu, Osinbajo, Fayemi, Amosun this week
LEADERS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-West have arranged a meeting with the party’s presidential aspirants from the zone.
It will hold on Friday.
The meeting is the brainchild of two elders of the party, former interim national chairman of the party and former governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande and a former Ogun State governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba.
Osoba was quoted as confirming the development on Tuesday. Aspirants expected at the meeting were Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; former Lagos State governor and national leader of APC, Senator Bola Tinubu; Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; immediate past governor of Ogun State and serving senator, Ibikunle Amosun, among other hopefuls.
If Tinubu and Osinbajo attend the meeting, it will be the first time they will be coming face to face publicly since the latter declared his interest in the seat.
Osinbajo is widely held as Tinubu’s protege and his entry into the race, after Tinubu had expressed interest, has raised political temperature across the country, especially the South-West.
The meeting is scheduled to hold at Lagos Flag House, Marina, an extension of Lagos State Government House.
Others listed as participants at the meeting are Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Senate Leader, Professor Ajayi Boroffice and governors elected on the platform of the party in the South-West. Osoba reportedly said the meeting was to bring peace in the zone
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| 2022-05-04T08:37:34Z
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CHICAGO (WGN) — High school students between the ages of 14 to 19 can work out for free at any of Planet Fitness’ clubs this summer.
The company says the program, which runs from May 16 to Aug. 31, is part of their High School Summer Pass Initiative and aims at improving teens’ mental and physical health.
The program was formally known as the Teen Summer Challenge, which launched in 2019 and saw more than 900,000 teens sign up and complete more than 5.5 million workouts over a three-and-a-half-month period, according to the company.
High schoolers can visit the website to pre-register and get a reminder to formally sign up when the program kicks off on May 16.
Teens under 18 must register with a parent or guardian online or in-club.
According to the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, less than 15% of teens met the 60-minute daily physical activity recommendation during the pandemic.
All participants who sign up are automatically entered into the Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass Sweepstakes.
The company will award one $500 scholarship in each state, and the District of Columbia, and one $5,000 scholarship grand prize at the end of the summer. The scholarships can be used for academic or athletic activities or programs.
The company also has COVID-19 protocols in place:
- Touchless check-in via the free Planet Fitness app – available to all High School Summer Pass participants
- A Crowd Meter on the Planet Fitness App that allows members to check club capacity in real-time
- Increased sanitization to continually clean and sanitize high-touch areas, with cleaning stations available for member use
- Mask policies in accordance with local guidelines
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| 2022-05-04T09:11:36Z
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump’s businesses and inaugural committee have reached a deal to pay Washington, D.C., $750,000 to resolve a lawsuitthat alleged the committee overpaid for events at his hotel and enriched the former president’s family in the process, according to the District of Columbia’s attorney general.
Attorney General Karl Racine announced the settlement agreement in the case against the Presidential Inaugural Committee, the Trump Organization and the Trump International Hotel in Washington in a tweet on Tuesday. The document had not yet been signed by a judge.
The agreement says the case is being resolved “to avoid the cost, burden, and risks of further litigation” and that the organizations “dispute these allegations on numerous grounds and deny having engaged in any wrongdoing or unlawful conduct.”
As part of the agreement, the defendants will pay the District of Columbia a total of $750,000, which will be used to benefit three nonprofit organizations, the settlement paperwork says.
“We’re resolving our lawsuit and sending the message that if you violate DC nonprofit law—no matter how powerful you are—you’ll pay,” Racine said in a tweet.
In a statement, Trump blasted Racine and noted that the settlement includes no admission of guilt or liability.
“As crime rates are soaring in our Nation’s Capital, it is necessary that the Attorney General focus on those issues rather than a further leg of the greatest Witch-Hunt in political history,” Trump said. “This was yet another example of weaponizing Law Enforcement against the Republican Party and, in particular, the former President of the United States.”
Racine has said the committee misused nonprofit funds and coordinated with the hotel’s management and members of the Trump family to arrange the events. He said one of the event’s planners raised concerns about pricing with Trump, the president’s daughter Ivanka Trump and Rick Gates, a top campaign official at the time.
The committee has maintained that its finances were independently audited, and that all money was spent in accordance with the law. The committee raised an unprecedented $107 million to host events celebrating Trump’s inauguration in January 2017. But the committee’s spending has drawn mounting scrutiny.
Gates, a former Trump campaign aide who cooperated in the special counsel’s Russia investigation, personally managed discussions with the hotel about using the space, including ballrooms and meeting rooms, the attorney general’s office has said. In one instance, Gates contacted Ivanka Trump and told her that he was “a bit worried about the optics” of the committee paying such a high fee, Racine said.
Prosecutors say the committee could have hosted inaugural events at other venues either for free or for reduced costs but didn’t consider those options.
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Associated Press writer Jill Colvin contributed to this report.
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| 2022-05-04T09:42:35Z
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A Senate hearing on Wednesday is likely to produce fireworks as Republicans and Democrats square off over the role that foundations and nonprofits are playing in elections.
The Senate Finance subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight offers no description of the hearing beyond the title “Laws and Enforcement Governing the Political Activities of Tax Exempt Entities.” Even the witnesses who will testify are uncertain of its focus. It appears likely that subcommittee chairman Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse wants to raise concerns about “dark money” flowing through 501(c)(4) nonprofits, but Republicans plan to widen the scope of the hearing to highlight what they see as illegal political activities by 501(c)(3) charities and foundations.
Contributions to 501(c)(4) social-welfare organizations, unlike 501(c)(3) charities, are not tax deductible, and as a result, those organizations are allowed to engage in a much broader range of political activities.
One of the witnesses at the hearing, Ann M. Ravel, former chairwoman of the United States Federal Election Commission who now teaches at the University of California at Berkeley’s law school, said she will discuss her concerns about the movement of money from 501(c)(4) organizations to political-action committees with little oversight or public awareness of the source of those funds.
“There is a lack of accountability that is problematic,” Ravel said.
However, witnesses who were invited to testify by committee Republicans had a much different perspective, saying it was shortsighted to focus on fundraising for political-action committees when, in their view, the real abuses are occurring at some 501(c)(3) nonprofits and foundations.
Scott Walter, president of the Capital Research Center, a conservative group that monitors philanthropy and political giving, said he was told that there is no specific piece of legislation linked to the hearing. Walter said he intends to make the case that abuses by 501(c)(3) charities crossing the line into partisan activities are a much bigger problem than the 501(c)(4) “dark money” that Whitehouse intends to focus on.
He pointed to Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan’s $400 million commitment during the last election cycle to promote electoral access and integrity. Walter said the vast majority of those funds were spent in heavily Democratic districts, which violates the federal prohibition against spending tax-deductible charitable contributions in ways that have “the intention or effect of benefiting one candidate or party.”
Groups like the New Venture Fund have drawn similar scrutiny from conservatives; it pursues a wide array of progressive policies in areas like climate change and gender equity, and it regularly receives large gifts from people like Jeff Bezos, MacKenzie Scott, Melinda French Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan and from foundations like Ford and MacArthur.
Arabella Advisors, a for-profit consulting firm that provides advice to wealthy donors and foundations, also has drawn the ire of conservatives, who say it is helping its nonprofit clients overstep the boundaries of acceptable activities for charities that enjoy the benefits of tax-free contributions.
Several states across the country have sought to prohibit outside groups from contributing money to the administration of local elections.
Brad Smith, founder of the Institute for Free Speech, who will testify at the hearing at the invitation of Republicans, said he felt that Democrats were exaggerating the problems posed by dark money flowing to political-action committees while ignoring the fact that many 501(c)(3) charities engage in a wide variety of activities that can influence elections or policy. For example, charities are allowed to do voter-registration drives that target certain areas, do a limited amount of lobbying, and do advocacy work to raise the profile of certain issues they care about, Smith said.
“I’m very cynical about the hearing because I view the hearing as somewhat cynical,” Smith said.
Meanwhile, people on the left have taken aim at Charles Koch, a longtime supporter of conservative charities. Those concerns on the left and the right have prompted calls for policy makers to lay out clearer rules about how charitable organizations can use their funds when it comes to election-related activities.
Another witness called to testify is Philip Hackney of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, who has questioned whether private foundations should retain their preferred tax status because of what he sees as widespread abuse of that privilege.
Whitehouse is a leading advocate of legislation that would require organizations spending money on elections, including 501(c)(4) groups and political-action committees, to disclose donors who give $10,000 or more during an election cycle. Whitehouse has also expressed concerns about the use of “dark money” to groom and promote conservative candidates for federal judgeships, including the Supreme Court.
The offices of Whitehouse and Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the top Republican on the Senate subcommittee, did not respond to calls or emails seeking comment on the hearing.
____
This article was provided to The Associated Press by the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Dan Parks is a senior editor at the Chronicle. Email: dan.parks@philanthropy.com. The AP and the Chronicle receive support from the Lilly Endowment for coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits. The AP and the Chronicle are solely responsible for all content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy.
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| 2022-05-04T09:42:57Z
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SEATTLE (AP) — Months into a complex trial over their role in flooding Washington with highly addictive painkillers, the nation’s three largest opioid distributors agreed Tuesday to pay the state $518 million, with the vast majority being directed toward easing the addiction epidemic.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced the deal, noting that it’s worth tens of millions of dollars more than Washington would have received from the companies if it had signed onto a national settlement reached last summer involving the distributors and Johnson & Johnson.
The agreement still requires approval from a judge and from dozens of Washington cities that pursued their own cases against the distributors — McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health Inc. and AmerisourceBergen Corp.
Under the settlement, the state would have to spend $476 million of the total to address the opioid crisis, including on substance abuse treatment; expanding access to overdose-reversal drugs; and providing housing, job placement and other services for those struggling with addiction. The rest of the money would go toward litigation costs.
“We could have joined the overwhelming majority of states and settled with the the largest opioid distributors, but we chose to fight them in court instead,” Ferguson said. “That decision to take them to court will result in significant additional resources for Washington to combat the opioid epidemic.”
The three companies announced earlier this year that 46 states had signed onto the national settlement, under which they will pay nearly $20 billion over 18 years.
Ferguson, a Democrat, declined to join, calling what would have been the state’s $418 million share from the distributors insufficient. Instead, he decided to go to trial against the three distributors and separately against Johnson & Johnson.
The case against the distributors went to trial last November in King County Superior Court in Seattle, alleging violations of consumer protection and public nuisance laws, while the lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson is scheduled to go to trial in September.
The attorney general argued that the three companies shipped such a vast amount of drugs to Washington that it was obvious they were fueling addiction: Opioid sales in the state rose more than 500% between 1997 and 2011. In 2011, more than 112 million daily doses of all prescription opioids were dispensed in the state — enough for a 16-day supply for every resident. In 2015, eight of Washington’s 39 counties had more prescriptions than residents.
The companies rejected the accusations. They said they merely supplied opioids that had been prescribed by doctors, and it wasn’t their role to second-guess the prescriptions or interfere in the doctor-patient relationship.
Further, the companies argued, Washington state itself played a large role in the epidemic. In the 1990s, concerned that people in chronic pain were being undertreated, lawmakers passed the Intractable Pain Act, which made it easier to prescribe opioids.
In a written statement Tuesday, the distributors said the settlement “will further the companies’ goal of achieving broad resolution of governmental opioid claims while delivering meaningful relief to communities across the United States that have been impacted by the opioid epidemic.”
Over the last two decades, the deaths of more than 500,000 Americans have been linked to overdoses of opioids, including both prescription pain kills and illicit drugs such as heroin and illegally produced fentanyl.
Across the U.S., many lawsuits filed by governments over the toll of the drugs have been resolved in recent years — most with settlements, and some with judgments or verdicts in trials. So far, drug makers, distributors and pharmacies have agreed to settlements totaling well over $40 billion, according to an Associated Press tally.
The new Washington state settlement stands as the largest between a single state and a company or group of companies, topping a $484 million deal announced in March between CVS and Florida.
Trials are underway in courts in West Virginia, Florida and California. A decision has not yet been issued after another trial last year in West Virginia.
___
AP reporter Geoff Mulvihill in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, contributed.
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| 2022-05-04T09:43:53Z
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Round two highlights and scores for GHSA baseball playoffs
Houston County ranks 12th nationally according to Perfect Game.
WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –Round two action of the GHSA baseball playoffs kicked off today, and the nation’s 12th ranked team, the Houston County Bears, hosted the Cambridge Bears.
After loading the bases in the bottom of the first, Houston County scored two runs to take a 2-0 lead.
However, Cambridge hits a two-run home run to tie the game in the top of the second.
Entering the bottom of the third, Houston County was up 3-2. Then with the bases loaded with two outs and a full count, Houston County nails a grand slam to take a 7-2 lead.
Hoco would add one more run in the fourth to go up 8-2.
Cambridge gave Houston County a scare as they scored three runs, on an RBI double and another two on a two-run home run, in the top of the fifth.
But Houston County would go on to win game one 8-6.
Hoco came out of game two victorious as well, winning 8-2, claiming the Battle of the Bears, and moving on to the Elite Eight in the 6A bracket.
Houston County will face Buford on Monday.
Two more Middle Georgia schools were in action, the first being the Perry Panthers, who hosted Druid Hills.
The Panthers sweep Druid Hills, winning game one 12-1 and game two 9-5. Perry will face Cedartown in the 4A Elite Eight on Monday.
The other team in action was the Veterans Warhawks taking on Decatur. Veterans’ season ends as Decatur swept the Warhawks, taking game one 8-4 and game two 7-3.
Round two action continues through Thursday.
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| 2022-05-04T10:15:42Z
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(AP) — COVID-19 vaccines and tests for the virus continue to boost CVS Health and the health care giant raised its annual forecast after yet another strong quarter.
The drugstore chain and pharmacy benefit manager said Wednesday that it expects per-share earnings of between $8.20 and $8.40 this year after breezing past Wall Street expectations for the first quarter.
The new outlook mostly eclipses Wall Street projections of $8.26 per share, according to FactSet.
CVS Health shares slipped in February after the company reported fourth quarter results that easily topped expectations but didn’t hike its forecast for the year, citing the pandemic’s unpredictable nature.
CVS operates one of the nation’s largest drugstore chains with nearly 10,000 retail locations. It also runs prescription drug plans for big clients like insurers and employers through a large pharmacy benefit management business.
It also provides health insurance for more than 24 million people through its Aetna arm.
The company said Wednesday that it administered more than 8 million COVID-19 vaccines in the first quarter, a big drop from the 20 million it administered in the last quarter of 2021, when customers sought boosters and many children began getting the shots.
CVS Health also administered six million tests in the first quarter and its drugstores got a boost from customers buying additional tests as the omicron surge of the virus peaked at the start of the quarter.
Claims processed in the company’s biggest business, its pharmacy benefits management segment, also climbed nearly 6% compared to last year’s quarter, which had a weaker cough, cold and flu season.
Quarterly net income climbed 89% to $2.31 billion. The company posted adjusted earnings of $2.22 per share, beating analyst projections for $2.17.
Revenue was $76.8 billion, also topping Wall Street’s expectations for $75.54 billion.
Shares of CVS Health Corp., based in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, rose almost 2% before the opening bell.
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| 2022-05-04T12:13:50Z
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The Department of Agriculture estimates 130 billion meals get thrown out every year yet there are Americans going hungry.
Ampleharvest.org has been working for years to facilitate food donations so this doesn’t happen. It’s a national nonprofit that connects gardeners and hungry families to food pantries.
This gardening season, they’re teaming up with Bonnie Plants and Home Depot, which are selling an easy-to-grow line of produce as a way to encourage more fresh-food donations.
“The idea is that when a gardener has woke up one morning and has too much of whatever they have grown that they can come to Ampleharvest.org to find a food pantry in their own neighborhood that is eager to receive it,” said Gary Oppenheimer, founder of Ampleharvest.org. “And then they donate it and they can do that this year and then for the rest of their gardening life.”
Ampleharvest.org works with pantries in more than 4,000 communities in all 50 states. It lets pantries create time slots for gardeners to drop off produce. That ensures the food stays fresh.
“Particularly today in today's economy where my neighbor may have lost their job, lost their business, whatever, and they're going to a food pantry for a while that I could be showing up with a box of whatever wonderful stuff I grew and they're coming to get their bread and milk and whatever and fresh food and we’re there at the same time, I'm embarrassed,” Oppenheimer said. “They’re humiliated. That's not necessary.”
He says access to healthy food has also been proven to reduce health care costs.
Research published in “PLoS Medicine” estimates that $50 billion could be saved annually if Americans ages 35 to 85 ate a healthy diet. That’s because it reduced the risk for things like type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease.
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https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/organization-working-to-eliminate-food-waste
| 2022-05-04T13:16:19Z
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https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/organization-working-to-eliminate-food-waste
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The Department of Agriculture estimates 130 billion meals get thrown out every year yet there are Americans going hungry.
Ampleharvest.org has been working for years to facilitate food donations so this doesn’t happen. It’s a national nonprofit that connects gardeners and hungry families to food pantries.
This gardening season, they’re teaming up with Bonnie Plants and Home Depot, which are selling an easy-to-grow line of produce as a way to encourage more fresh-food donations.
“The idea is that when a gardener has woke up one morning and has too much of whatever they have grown that they can come to Ampleharvest.org to find a food pantry in their own neighborhood that is eager to receive it,” said Gary Oppenheimer, founder of Ampleharvest.org. “And then they donate it and they can do that this year and then for the rest of their gardening life.”
Ampleharvest.org works with pantries in more than 4,000 communities in all 50 states. It lets pantries create time slots for gardeners to drop off produce. That ensures the food stays fresh.
“Particularly today in today's economy where my neighbor may have lost their job, lost their business, whatever, and they're going to a food pantry for a while that I could be showing up with a box of whatever wonderful stuff I grew and they're coming to get their bread and milk and whatever and fresh food and we’re there at the same time, I'm embarrassed,” Oppenheimer said. “They’re humiliated. That's not necessary.”
He says access to healthy food has also been proven to reduce health care costs.
Research published in “PLoS Medicine” estimates that $50 billion could be saved annually if Americans ages 35 to 85 ate a healthy diet. That’s because it reduced the risk for things like type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease.
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https://www.katc.com/news/national/organization-working-to-eliminate-food-waste
| 2022-05-04T13:35:46Z
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COVID-19 vaccines and tests for the virus continue to boost CVS Health and the health care giant raised its annual forecast after yet another strong quarter.
The drugstore chain and pharmacy benefit manager also processed more prescriptions and added customers to its health insurance business in a better-than-expected performance.
The company said Wednesday that it administered more than 8 million COVID-19 vaccines in the first quarter. That represented a big drop from the over 20 million that it administered in the last quarter of 2021, when customers sought boosters and many children began getting shots.
CVS Health said it also administered more than six million tests in the first quarter, and its drugstores got a boost from customers buying additional test kits to take home as the omicron surge of the virus peaked at the start of the quarter.
The vaccines and tests are bringing more customers into CVS Health drugstores, but that advantage may be starting to wane, said Neil Saunders, who follows the company as managing director of GlobalData.
“It is reasonable to question how long it will continue to deliver,” Saunders said in an email.
COVID-19 vaccination rates have slowed nationally, and CVS Health leaders told analysts Wednesday that they expect the number of vaccinations they administer this year to drop about 70%, to around 18 million.
CVS operates one of the nation’s largest drugstore chains with nearly 10,000 retail locations. It also runs prescription drug plans for big clients like insurers and employers through a large pharmacy benefit management business.
It also provides health insurance for more than 24 million people through its Aetna arm.
That health insurance business has added 674,000 customers since the end of last year. But the segment saw its adjusted operating income drop slightly in the first quarter, partly because medical costs are returning to normal levels.
Claims processed in the company’s biggest business, its pharmacy benefits management segment, also climbed nearly 6% compared to last year’s quarter, which had a weaker cough, cold and flu season.
Quarterly net income climbed 4% to $2.31 billion. But operating income slipped due to a $484 million settlement the company reached with the state of Florida to settle opioid-related litigation.
Overall, the company posted adjusted earnings of $2.22 per share, beating analyst projections for $2.17.
Revenue was $76.8 billion, also topping Wall Street’s expectations for $75.54 billion.
CVS Health said it now expects per-share earnings of between $8.20 and $8.40 this year.
The new outlook mostly eclipses Wall Street projections of $8.26 per share, according to FactSet.
Company shares slipped in February after the company reported fourth quarter results that easily topped expectations but didn’t hike its forecast for the year, citing the pandemic’s unpredictable nature.
Shares of CVS Health Corp., based in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, climbed 1% to $96.90 Wednesday.
___
Follow Tom Murphy on Twitter.
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https://www.wpri.com/business-news/cvs-raises-2022-forecast-after-better-than-expected-1q/
| 2022-05-04T15:42:37Z
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The European Union’s executive commission has proposed phasing out imports of Russian oilwithin six months. It is part of Europe’s struggle to stop paying Russia $850 million a day for energy and hit the Kremlin’s finances over its invasion of Ukraine.
But reversing decades of dependence on Russian oil and natural gas is not a simple matter for the 27-nation bloc. For one thing, Hungary says it won’t go along with a boycott, while Slovakia and Czech Republic are seeking a multiyear transition period. All are landlocked and big users of Russian oil.
Here is what the oil sanctions could mean for people in Europe and the rest of the world:
HOW MUCH DOES EUROPE PAY RUSSIA FOR ENERGY?
Gas and oil have kept flowing even as governments denounce the war. The EU sends $450 million a day to Russia for oil and $400 million per day for natural gas, according to calculations by analysts at the Bruegel think tank in Brussels.
That means energy revenue is bolstering the Kremlin’s budget, adding to foreign currency reserves that could help Russia support the ruble and partly make up for Western sanctions that froze much of Russia’s foreign currency reserves held outside Russia.
HOW MUCH RUSSIAN OIL GOES TO EUROPE?
Europe is the biggest purchaser of Russian crude, receiving 138 million tons in 2020 out of Russia’s total exports of 260 million tons — or 53%, according to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy. Europe, which imports almost all of its crude, gets a quarter of its needs from Russia.
Oil is refined into fuel for heating and driving as well as being a raw material for industry.
WHY IS THE FOCUS ON OIL INSTEAD OF NATURAL GAS?
It’s harder to find alternative sources of natural gasbecause it comes mainly by pipeline. It would be easier to find other sources for oil, which mostly moves by tanker and is traded globally. So a natural gas boycott is off the table for now. Heavy gas users like Germany say an immediate cutoff could cost jobs, with industrial associations warning of shutdowns in glass and metals businesses.
Cutting off both natural gas and oil would likely cause a recession in Europe, economists say.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN WHEN RUSSIAN OIL SUPPLIES STOP?
Europe imported 3.8 million barrels a day from Russia before the war. In theory, European customers could replace those barrels from suppliers in the Middle East, whose exports now mostly go to Asia, as well as from the United States, Latin America and Africa. Meanwhile, cheaper Russian oil could take the place of the Middle East shipments to Asia.
But it would take time to make that adjustment. New supplies would have to be found elsewhere. Several large refineries in central and Eastern Europe rely on oil from a Soviet-era pipeline and would have to find another way of getting oil to make gasoline and other products.
Bruegel analysts say that means European countries should be ready to impose measures to reduce fuel use, such as making public transport free and incentivizing car-sharing. If those measures don’t work, tougher ones such as odd-even driving bans based on license plate numbers would be needed. Similar measures were taken during the 1973 OPEC oil embargo, when Germany imposed car-free Sundays.
Russia is a major supplier of Europe’s diesel fuel for trucks and farm equipment, meaning its price affects those for a wide range of food and goods.
EU governments also are gambling that Russia will not respond by turning off natural gas supplies to Europe. Russia has already cut off Bulgaria and Poland, ostensibly for refusing to pay in rubles.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO THE GLOBAL OIL MARKET?
Chances are that oil prices would go up for everyone because oil is a global commodity. That would mean higher prices at the pump and for home heating, less disposable income for consumers and be a drag on the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Russia would probably produce and export less oil after losing its biggest customer, Europe. That’s because all of Russia’s exports can’t simply be redirected from nearby Europe to far-off Asia due to shipping and logistical constraints. It would mean a major reshuffling of the world’s crude oil flows.
Buyers in India and China might avoid Russian oil if it means possible sanctions trouble with the West. And Western customers are already shunning Russian oil because they don’t want to be associated with the country or can’t find insurers or banks willing to handle dealings with Moscow.
On the other hand, some Asian customers might jump at the chance to snap up discounted Russian oil. Especially if the sales are off the books, as appears to be happening in some cases.
The OPEC oil cartel led by Saudi Arabia — which sets production levels along with allied non-members like Russia — has made it clear it won’t increase output to make up for any supply loss from Russia due to a boycott. They meet again Thursday.
Rystad Energy expects a loss of 1.5 million to 2 million barrels per day and oil reaching $120 to $130 per barrel by year’s end.
A milder scenario, in which most Russian oil shunned by Europe is snapped up in other energy-hungry countries not taking part in the sanctions, would see a loss of 1 million barrels per day. Oil prices would drop below $100 by June and keep falling to $60 by year’s end.
HOW MUCH WOULD A BOYCOTT COST RUSSIA?
Energy is the main pillar of the Kremlin’s budget. The Russian government got an average of 43% of its revenue from oil and natural gas between 2011 and 2020.
While the price for Russia’s main export benchmark to Europe, Urals crude, has been discounted by $35 a barrel compared with international benchmark Brent, Russia’s revenue losses have so far been limited because of generally higher oil prices.
Those foreign currency earnings are helping prop up Russian finances amid sanctions.
The latest sanctions would likely to have a “significant impact” on Russia’s ability to keep funding the war because of its dependence on the European oil market, said John Lough, associate fellow with the Russia and Eurasia program at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London.
“Further reductions of federal tax revenues on top of an already anticipated 5-10% decline in GDP from existing sanctions will have huge consequences for government spending across the board and may generate serious social discontent,” he said.
But he warned the embargo also carried risks: “A sharp rise in the oil price could mitigate the effects on the economy if Russia is able to divert crude to non-European markets.”
Meanwhile, Russia will try to exploit differences among EU countries, which could be worsened by high energy prices.
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https://www.wpri.com/business-news/explainer-whats-the-impact-if-europe-cuts-off-russian-oil-2/
| 2022-05-04T15:42:58Z
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https://www.wpri.com/business-news/explainer-whats-the-impact-if-europe-cuts-off-russian-oil-2/
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